Cooper signs with GPA's rival brand

KERRY's Colm Cooper has inked a lucrative sponsorship deal with Lucozade Sport, it has emerged.

The agreement, to be announced shortly, will be seen as a serious blow to the Gaelic Players Association, with its membership endorsing the rival Club Energise brand.

Cooper, one of the highest profile gaelic football talents in the country, is not a member of the GPA. In fact, few Kerry footballers have joined the players' representative body.