McGrath plans to let Gooch loose on Aussies

TWELVE months later than planned, Colm Cooper is about to parade his remarkable range of skills on the international stage.

While Irish manager Peter McGrath has yet to announce his squad for Friday’s International Rules Series opener, it’s taken for granted that ‘Gooch,’ will see game time at the Subiaco Oval.

He was a surprise omission for last year’s home series, with McGrath believing that the lengthy season had taken its toll on the Kerry star.

“Initially I was disappointed,” Cooper recalls. “Everyone wants to play with his country and I’m no exception. But I felt a small bit drained myself and Pete McGrath and the management probably saw it in the times that I did play. This year I felt a bit fresher coming up for the trial, even after the All-Ireland. Luckily I was picked.’’

“The All-Ireland was a huge disappointment really. But, to get something out of the year - to represent your country - is a great bonus.”

Cooper is well aware of the challenge in trying to adjust to the rules of the International game at such short notice. Specifically, he concedes dealing with the Australian tackling will certainly test him - both mentally and physically.

“I suppose the tackle is probably the strongest part of their game and they don’t miss a tackle. It’s something you obviously have to be aware of and know that they are very strong in that area.You just have to be ready for it.’’

McGrath has repeated that he wants his players to concentrate on kicking three-pointers and Cooper shares that philosophy.

“We believe that if you can keep knocking over three pointers, you have a great chance of going on and winning the series.”

He says he is impressed by the quality of the Irish management - and their strategies.

“I think they have a good understanding and they have built up a good bond with the players. Having just having joined the squad and trained this morning, you can sense that everybody is getting into it.

For himself and club-mate Eoin Brosnan, the draw in Saturday’s Kerry championship semi-final was a disappointment, even though Cooper kicked over an equalising point to set up the replay.

“It’s done now. It was a draw and we are over here now to do a different job. My mind is on winning the series here in Australia and when we get back home it will be on the county championship. While we are here, we’ll do our best to try get one over on the Aussies.

“I’m only a slight fellow, but we’ll give it a go and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Ross Munnelly is a doubt for the campaign opener. Munnelly suffered a dead leg in training yesterday.

Manager Pete McGrath took his players to the coastal town of Mandurah, about an hour’s drive from Perth, for a combined training and relaxing break. He did so, he explained, to break the monotony of being confined to the hotel outside of training and avoid the risk of boredom.

Tyrone defender Ryan McMenamin, who has been fighting a chest infection, took a full part in the training. But the suspicion is that he may be one of the three players who won’t make the cut, with only nine interchange players allowed. Munnelly may also lose out unless he regains full fitness over the next 48 hours.