Kingdom joy turns to sorrow as footballer’s friend dies

COLM COOPER’S Croke Park joy turned to despair last night after learning that one of his closest friends had lost his life in a drowning accident in Killarney.

The Kingdom’s gifted All-Star only found out about the death of Kieran Cahillane, 19, after yesterday’s All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Mayo.

His Dr Crokes club-mates, with Kerry colleague Eoin Brosnan, board development officer Patrick O’Sullivan and masseur Harry O’Neill, helped comfort the shocked 22-year-old, who scored an early goal in the Kingdom’s 2-15 to 0-18 win over Mayo.

The teenage victim was part of the seven-a-side soccer team coached by Cooper to a local Killarney tournament final last week, and was affectionately known as “Cheese” to his friends.

The tragedy is the second devastating blow to the Dr Crokes club.

Seven years ago, Kerry minor star Martin Beckett was killed in a car accident on his return from holidays.

The news cut short any Kerry celebrations after yesterday’s quarter-final.

The Kingdom will meet Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, following the Rebels’ thrilling 2-14 to 2-11 quarter-final comeback win over Galway. It will be a repeat of the 2002 semi-final, when Kerry eased to victory, only to lose the final to Armagh by a point.