JOE O\u2019CONNOR IS set to be named the Kerry senior football captain for 2022.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s understood that Austin Stacks put the midfielder\u2019s name forward following a meeting of the club executive last night.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor picked up a knee injury in the recent Munster club final defeat to St Finbarr\u2019s. A cruciate setback was feared, but Kerry boss Jack O\u2019Connor ruled that out at a media briefing on Monday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been confirmed that it looks like cartilage problem more than ligaments so that is good news and that is about the best news that he could have got,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
An official announcement unveiling the identity of the Kerry captain for 2022 is expected imminently, with ratification due at next Monday night\u2019s county committee meeting at Austin Stack Park.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The only other viable nomination was Dylan Casey but the fact that he is only 21 and has yet to start a competitive game for the Kingdom likely resulted in O\u2019Connor \u2014 who played in 2021 and scored a goal against Roscommon \u2014 getting the nod.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor\u2019s nomination will again rekindle the debate within the county regarding the captaincy selection each year, as the county champions are gifted the honour of naming the skipper, often not a nailed-down starter.<\/p>\n
\n Joe O’Connor (left) with Tommy Walsh and Paudie Clifford last year.<\/p>\n
Source: James Crombie\/INPHO<\/p>\n