Branching off in a new direction

ALL-Ireland club memories. Colm Cooper traces his first back to 1992.

He remembers the feverish excitement at home in Ardshanavooley with two older brothers involved in the Dr Crokes squad facing a final showdown with Dublin outfit Thomas Davis. As an eight year-old, the role of mascot helped intensify the anticipation and there was also the sheer novelty of a day trip to Croke Park during a period where the Kerry seniors only managed to escape the provincial clutches once in nine years.

Fifteen years on, and he was the central figure. Crokes were unheralded at the start of that All-Ireland club campaign yet they picked off big guns like Nemo Rangers and Moorefield. Did a final tilt against the competition giants Crossmaglen Rangers come too soon in their development? Cooper is unsure. He remembers the first day in GAA headquarters as a game they should have been closed out.