Cork game may prompt Cooper’s league return

Even the Gooch is human. 10 years after his senior debut for Kerry, 12 years after helping his club Dr Crokes to the Kerry senior title, Colm Cooper, the footballing genius from Killarney, is feeling the pressure.

It’s not physical, despite some terrible treatment over the years from one frustrated corner-back after another. It’s more a mental fatigue which set in in the wake of a heartbreaking All-Ireland club semi-final loss to the competition powerhouses, Crossmaglen Rangers.

In Dublin yesterday to receive his AIB Provincial Player Award for his heroics during his club’s win in Munster last year, Cooper explained why he has stepped back from competitive action for a spell.