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.

Lucozade Sport have already signed up Westmeath's Dessie Dolan, Armagh's Oisin McConville, Tipperary hurlers Eoin Kelly and Brendan Cummins, and Kilkenny's Derek Lyng.

Cooper will be unveiled in tv and outdoor advertising in advance of this year's football Championship.

The terms of the agreement have not been revealed.