Gooch doubtful for Kingdom clash with Derry

COLM COOPER is a doubtful starter for Kerry’s Bank of Ireland senior football championship semi-final with Derry on Sunday week.

Cooper picked up a hamstring strain near the end of Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Dublin but was forced to finish the game as the Kingdom had used up their full compliment of substitutes.

As a result he was forced to miss last night’s Munster U-21 final against Cork. He was present at the game, but did not tog out.

However, Declan O’Sullivan and Paddy Kelly - both of whom lined out against Dublin - played last night.

The extent of the injury is not known. Because of the closeness of the match and the fact that he will hardly be able to train this week, it may not be known until the week-end of the game if he will be able to play.

He was the team’s outstanding forward on Saturday, excelling in the second half, and would be a huge loss were he to be ruled out.

The U-21 management were aware of his injury on Monday night, when they held a light training session in Austin Stack Park. “We were hoping at the time that he would be able to play,” said a spokesman for the team.

The senior squad resumed training on Tuesday night.

Limerick star Stephen Kelly could be about to forsake Gaelic football to pursue a soccer career.

Kelly, top scorer with the Shannonsiders, is currently on trial with Premier Division Cork City and, according to assistant manager Noel O’Connor, has shown up well in training.

“It is a little too early to say if he will be offered terms,” said O’Connor, adding that they had invited the player to Turner’s Cross as his Gaelic football commitments had ended for this season.

Kelly is no stranger to soccer and is leading marksman with his club, Newcastle West, in the Limerick Desmond League.

Were Cork to agree terms with Kelly, then he would be unavailable to Limerick for the 2005 National League and Championship campaigns as both seasons run in tandem.