GAA support for Cooper at mother’s funeral

Many prominent GAA figures, led by the association’s president Liam O’Neill, attended the funeral of the mother of star Kerry footballer Colm Cooper in Killarney at the weekend.

Tributes were paid to Maureen Cooper, 72, a quiet woman who had a dedicated interest in her son’s playing career and supported him always, even if she found it difficult to bear the tension of attending matches at times.

Her daughter Karen said she was an “amazing mother” who preferred to remain in the background and who always put her family and her home first.

Mrs Cooper, who had been ill since March, was described as a woman of values who enjoyed the simple things in life, was devoted to St Anthony and enjoyed her Sunday night bingo with her friends.

Members of the current Kerry squad and manager Eamon Fitzmaurice turned out in their county track suits and sympathised with the family.

Among the many former players in attendance were Mick Gleeson, Dara Ó Cinnéide and Liam Hassett, and former Kerry manager Pat O’Shea. Also there was former Munster Council and Kerry County Board chairman Sean Walsh and the current county board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was at the removal of the remains to the Church of the Resurrection, Park Rd, on Friday evening.

Chief celebrant of the concelebrated funeral Mass Fr Kevin McNamara said the late Mrs Cooper, who was predeceased by her husband Mike in 2006, was a generous woman who faced death with courage and who would be greatly missed.

Her coffin was draped in the black and amber of Dr Crokes GAA Club and she was laid to rest in Aghadoe Cemetery.

Chief mourners were her sons Danny, Mark, Mike, Vince, and Colm, and daughters Geraldine and Karen.