Kildare's football championship hopes took another tumble yesterday with the announcement that Cathal Sheridan has withdrawn from the panel due to personal commitments.

Sheridan was a regular at left corner forward throughout Kildare's league campaign which ended in relegation from Division Two. His withdrawal leaves another major hole in the team that claimed the Leinster title two years ago. With Niall Buckley having already vacated his midfield spot to play his summer football in Chicago, manager Mick O'Dwyer continues to face reduced selection choices.

"Cathal made his position known after the league matches and Mick O'Dwyer tried to convince him to stay on," said Kildare spokesman Syl Merrins yesterday. "The team were also hoping he would change his mind but the door is certainly not closed should he reconsider."

A Garda officer based in Leixlip, Sheridan originally played his football with Meath, picking up medals at minor and under-21 level and was on the panel for Meath's All-Ireland win in 1996. He made his debut for Kildare in the Leinster semi-final against Laois two years ago.

Sheridan was a consistent point scorer throughout this season's league, but work and family commitments forced him to miss a number of training sessions.

Kildare open their championship campaign on June 11th against Louth, who compete for the Division Two title in Croke Park on Sunday week.