Cooper: Confident Tipperary will have no fear in Killarney

Colm Cooper says it is only a matter of time before Tipperary’s underage success manifests at senior level and Kerry are on high alert for their Munster SFC clash on Sunday.

Cooper admitted Tipperary should have beaten them in the championship in Semple Stadium last year and will be taking nothing for granted in Sunday’s quarter-final at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney.

“I think the fact they are going for three Munster minor titles in-a-row is a phenomenal achievement for Tipperary. They have beaten Kerry a couple of years and they have beaten Cork this season.

“They are massive wins, so it shows the work they are doing is obviously working.

“It is certainly something we are aware of. They gave us a right scare in Thurles last year and could have and should have won the game.

“They’ll hold no fear in coming to Killarney and we’ll just have to make sure we are right on the day.”

Cooper said Tipperary manager Peter Creedon had brought them on a lot. “They have a good manager in charge of them and he seems to have got everyone on board and they seem to be pulling in the right direction.

“The fact they got so close last year and felt they should probably have won the game will only give them more confidence coming to Killarney.

“They’ll be coming down saying all the pressure will be on Kerry. They have nothing to lose and that’s always dangerous,” said Cooper.

Cooper is embarking on his 12th championship campaign when he hopes to win his eighth Munster and fifth All-Ireland title, and he is as hungry as ever for the campaign.

“I am looking forward to another season. It is amazing, it is my 12th year now going playing, it seems like yesterday I just started but the enthusiasm is still there and I have been lucky on the injury front,” he added.