Crokes delighted with Gooch fitness boost

COLM COOPER emerged unscathed from his first full training session since Kerry’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin as he attempts to regain full fitness and shake off an ankle problem ahead of Dr Crokes’ county final meeting with Mid Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday week.

Cooper has been troubled by the injury since the Croke Park clash on September 18, which forced him to miss Dr Crokes club championship meeting with Rathmore the following Saturday and has hindered his ability to play at full capacity in their county championship victories over Austin Stacks and West Kerry over the past two weekends. Dr Crokes manager Harry O’Neill has revealed that the nature of the injury has been part of the reason as to why Cooper has filled a withdrawn role for his club in recent weeks.

“It hasn’t been a case of us withdrawing Colm out the field for a tactical reason. He is struggling with an injury and is trying to get the best out of himself by coming out the pitch. Sometimes in the tight confines of the corner where you’ve to twist and turn, it doesn’t suit him.

“Tuesday was his first proper training session since the All-Ireland final. He’s been up on the field alright but hasn’t really done a full session with us until then. It’s great to see him back up there because he has a huge influence on the lads and his ankle is getting better. For himself psychologically, to get through a full session without a reaction to the ankle is great for him.”

Meanwhile O’Neill admits that the back injury Ambrose O’Donovan sustained in a car crash last year could be linked to the fitness problems the midfielder has been experiencing in recent weeks. O’Donovan has been undergoing cryotherapy treatment this week in Ennis in an effort to be available in time for Sunday week’s showdown.

“We don’t know yet whether we’ll have Ambrose. The back problem could be a residue of the accident. Ambrose is a very physical type of player, he takes and gives a lot of hits in games. There’s been a build-up of knocks. We’re hoping that it’s nothing too serious at this stage.”