THE versatile Johnny Buckley has opted out of the Kerry senior football panel.
The 2017 Kingdom captain is understood to have cited work commitments for his decision as the Kerry Coaches business he runs with his father, Mike, is extremely busy and his workload will escalate considerably as the Summer progresses.
The Dr Crokes star, who is equally comfortable at midfield or in the half forward line, will turn 29 on July 31 and his progress this season has been dogged by a knee injury which kept him out of the entire National League campaign.
2017 was a very busy year on and off the field for Johnny and in addition to work commitments and captaining his county, he married long-time girlfriend Annie MacMonagle in December.
He also led Dr Crokes to an All-Ireland Club Championship victory and won his fifth Kerry SFC medal during the course of the season.
It is believed that he informed Kerry management of his decision this week but he was told that the door would be left open if has a change of heart.
Johnny, who made his championship debut against Cork in 2012 and had his first league start against Laois the same year, was a Kerry minor in 2006 and 2007, won an All-Ireland under 21 medal in 2008 and a senior medal in 2014.
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