‘Gooch’ reveals shock at media reaction

KERRY attacker Colm Cooper has revealed his shock at the media reaction when he broke a squad alcohol ban prior to last month’s All-Ireland qualifier tie against Antrim.

Cooper and teammate Tomás Ó Sé were dropped from the Kingdom line-up by manager Jack O’Connor because of a breach of discipline after the qualifier win over Sligo. Cooper admitted he “was offside” for drinking after that game, but has slammed the subsequent media reaction.

“I made the front pages and I was thinking, ‘Jesus, if this is what happens to a 26-year-old, a guy working down the country and having a few pints, there’s something wrong somewhere’.