Branching off in a new direction
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.
The replay defeat in Portlaoise yields no complaints.
Now there’s another chapter to be written. They emerged from the Munster minefield before Christmas when triumphing in a wonderfully open clash against UCC. Another shot off Crossmaglen in five weeks in Portlaoise is their reward. But revenge is not occupying Cooper’s mind. He’s merely grateful that the flow of competitive football is being maintained.
“When you finish the Christmas, it’s a hell of a lot easier to face back into another season when you’ve an All-Ireland club semi-final to prepare for. There’s a lot more enthusiasm. I’d notice around the place that since January 1, there’s a lot more talk about February 18 between supporters making arrangements to travel and players getting focused on Crossmaglen. It’s a good place to be.”
He’s benefited himself from their club championship odyssey. The events of the third Sunday of last September are in a book that he has closed and stored back up on the shelf. Being a point away from an All-Ireland medal and a chance to hoist the Sam Maguire brought searing pain. But Cooper’s thankful that he had a sanctuary where he could work through that dejection rather than lying idle for the winter months.
“It was a massive disappointment. But at least when I look back on 2011, I can think of winning back-to-back counties and a Munster title. I remember chatting to Eoin (Brosnan) after beating UCC and we were really appreciating what we had done. We’ve had a lot of setbacks at club level. The thing has turned for us a bit now.”
Scanning back through the past year reminds him of what a whirlwind it has been. Since their Munster club final loss to Nemo on a frozen afternoon in Mallow in January 2011, there has been little respite. Cooper marvels at the incessant schedule of games undertaken by some of their younger talents.
“It’s been mad for some lads like Johnny (Buckley) and Daithi (Casey). They’ve played a lot of football at a very high level over the last 24 months. It’s brought a massive intensity to their game. I remember 2002 as being a pivotal year for myself in that regard. I was just out of minor and playing senior inter-county football. It was a big year to develop. In an ideal world, it’d be better if the lads got more of a break. But you look at that fixtures calendar and how do you sort it all out? It’s an area that needs to be debated. But I don’t think there’s any easy solution. In Kerry you have to get used to it and get through it.”
The exposure to big-time football has enhanced the displays of younger players around Cooper. And over Christmas they welcomed back 2008 Kerry All-Ireland U21 winner Mike Moloney. The defender who lined out for London last year is not eligible for the All-Ireland series but will be back in their plans soon enough.
“It’s great to have him back,” says Cooper. “He’s a very talented fella. Maybe Kerry might happen for him down the road but for now he’s missed a fair bit of football and getting back up to that standard is his focus. He can’t play against Crossmaglen but he’ll be a big boost for us in 2012.”
