With an AIB All Ireland Club title already secured, Johnny Buckley is aware of the possibilities which exist in 2017.

'Honoured' to have been afforded the Kerry captaincy Buckley hopes Eamonn Fitzmaurice's evolving team are primed to make a summer impact now.

Encouraged by how Kerry's emerging players performed during the spring, Buckley is enthusiastic ahead of the Munster Championship.

"It is great," Buckley says about the emergence of new green and gold footballers.

"It gives any teams a good buzz when younger players come in and step up to the plate. To have a strong panel is what it is all about. They'll all be in the mix come summer. Every fella will be fighting for that jersey. It is a panel game.

"There are some great players coming through that have done very well underage. There is no doubt that they will have a big impact. It brings great freshness to the team this year. There are a lot of new faces about the place.

"They are bringing their hunger and their passion to the place. It can only be good to see these lads in the panel."

One Dr Crokes legend, though, has left the inter-county stage. Has it been strange training for Kerry without Cooper? "I suppose, but I am lucky enough to still play with him in the club but from a Kerry point of view, he will definitely be missed around the place.

"I suppose what it has done is that it has given fellas who have been around for a few years, the opportunity to step up to the plate and become that leader in the dressing-room and that leader on the field, which is a very powerful and positive thing, so that is what we are focusing on."

Buckley doesn't think he will feel any added pressure while captaining Kerry. "When you put on the Kerry jersey, there is a certain amount of pressure involved in it any way. Being captain, we do these kind of gigs and other bits and pieces. "Other than that, you are just one of the players. There is no extra onus on you to do anything else. Any day, that anyone goes out and puts on the jersey, he is expected to give 100 per cent."

Following Crokes March 17 success Buckley opted to rest a knee problem, but was delighted with the Allianz Football League Final win over Dublin.

"The day itself was great," Buckley admits. "It was great to beat the Dubs after the past couple of years and them having pipped us in the Championship matches.

"We are looking at it for what it was; a National League. We are delighted, but it was very much a change of focus straightaway to the Championship."

That is where Kerry will be judged with Buckley adamant the returning Kieran Donaghy will be an influential figure once more.

"Kieran is back in for the last while, he’s in great shape and a man of his experience and his capabilities is always great to have around – not only in the dressing room but on the field as well.

"We just look forward to playing with him over the summer."