The Kingdom’s chance of glory in this year’s Championship has been given a boost thanks to the return of centre-back Mike McCarthy to Jack O’Connor’s football panel.
The Kilcummin clubman missed the Allianz NFL due to family commitments, but has announced his return for the Championship season.
O’Connor said: ‘Mike had other commitments. I think he was vital to our success last year and I think he can be a big part of our attempt to regain the All-Ireland this year.
‘He is a great stabilising influence and the lads have an awful lot of respect for him.’
O’Connor’s return to the Kerry setup will come as a welcome boost for O’Connor. Aidan O'Mahony and Tomás Ó Sé filled the role during the NFL season; however, McCarthy will most likely slot back into the side as the first-choice centre-back.
Another option at centre-back for O’Connor is Paul Galvin. O’Connor considered playing Galvin in Kerry's final NFL match against Monaghan, but instead plumped for Ó Sé.
