The Kerry footballers will be without duo Stefan Okunbor and Darragh Roche for the ‘long term’ after the pair sustained injuries against Tyrone two weeks ago.
Jack O’Connor revealed the news after Saturday’s win over Roscommon.
“Stefan and Darragh picked up serious injuries up in Tyrone. It was a bad day for us, we lost the match and we picked up two fairly serious injuries. They’ll be out pretty long-term,” he said (quote via Paul Brennan and The Kerryman).
Okunbor has had dreadful luck with injuries in recent years following his return from the AFL.
The Na Gaeil club man also missed a significant proportion of the 2022 season.
Roche meanwhile had been enjoying a breakthrough season in the green and gold jersey. He scored 1-2 in the home victory over Monaghan in February, and was working his way into O’Connor’s plans.
The news comes as a significant setback for both players.
Saturday’s victory over the Rossies eased fears of relegation for the reigning Division 1 champions. Collecting the two points in Tralee also keeps their hopes of returning to the final alive.
They travel to Galway next weekend for their final fixture of the group campaign.
Kerry open their championship campaign against Tipperary or Waterford in the Munster SFC semi-final on April 22.
