Hardwood timber But another familiar face is returning from injury who could fill the void
Published: 7:11, 2 Nov 2023 Updated: 7:11, 2 Nov 2023 KERRY’S bid to reclaim Sam Maguire in 2024 has been dealt a major blow with the news that Jack Barry is off to Australia for a year.
The news also dampens the good mood in the Na Gaeil camp after a thrilling extra-time victory over Kerins O’Rahilly’s at the weekend saw them survive a relegation play-off in the Kingdom.
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Alongside Paul Murphy and Gavin White, after their side’s defeat in the All-Ireland final on July 31
Na Gaeil have confirmed the Kerry midfielder is taking a year out to travel and will not be available to club or county in 2024.
The Na Gaeil midfield pairing of Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor has been Kerry’s go-to duo for boss Jack O’Connor, particularly since the retirement of the long-serving David Moran in January.
Barry, who turns 29 next month ahead of his trip Down Under, will leave big boots to fill in his county team.
The 2022 All-Ireland winner’s battles with Dublin’s Brian Fenton have been a standout feature of recent clashes between the arch rivals and his absence will not hurt the Dubs’ hopes of hanging on to their All-Ireland title next summer.
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Barry made his Championship debut against Clare in 2017.
He has played in All-Ireland finals in 2019, including a replay, 2022 and 2023, all against Dublin, with the Kingdom’s only win coming 16 months ago.
Kerry do not appear to have a ready-made replacement right now so boss O’Connor will welcome the recent return of former captain Joe O’Connor after a year out with a cruciate injury.
Meanwhile, a Na Gaeil team-mate of Barry’s, Damien Burke, has been invited on to the Kerry senior training panel that will soon jet out to New York for a five-day break.
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