The Gooch scores big on Kerry wonders list

PIN-UP Gaelic football star Colm “Gooch” Cooper has made the shortlist of 17 from which the Seven Wonders of Kerry will be chosen.

One of the surprises in the vote for the shortlist, however, is that the iconic Killarney man is the only footballer to get on this particular ‘team’ — despite the fact that Kerry has produced dozens of big ball legends.

Strangely, none of the stars of the 1970s and ’80s, who comprised what many aficionados believe to be the greatest team of all time, and those who went before them, made it.

Nor is there any mention of other Kerry notables such as Daniel O’Connell, Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, or any of the top businessmen and politicians the county has produced. All of which underlines the general belief that the public memory is, indeed, short.

The only literary figure to get in is John B Keane, whose death has in no way diminished his popularity.

The competition to find the Seven Wonders of Kerry is being run by Radio Kerry and voted on by listeners to the station’s morning current affairs programme, Kerry Today.

Yesterday, presenter Deirdre Walsh said the idea was to celebrate the county’s great natural beauty, its history and traditions, and the many outstanding Kerry people down through the ages.

“There’s been a massive response since we started it in early August with hundreds of people giving their choices, including people from America, England, Holland, Dublin, Belfast and Galway,” she said.

“While some of the footballers of the 1970s and ’80s did get votes, none received as many as the Gooch. Also, there were more votes for places than for people.”

A final line-up of seven will be chosen. People can vote by calling 066-7191219, or via the Radio Kerry website at www.radiokerry.ie, by clicking on the 7 Wonders icon.

Alternatively, email [e-mail] or text KERRY followed by a space, followed by VOTE and your choice to 57188. Texts cost 50c each.

The closing date is 3pm on September 6.