IT was a sight very much in keeping with a beautiful spring Sunday – and it will give every Kerry supporter an extra pep in their step as they look forward to another glamorous championship season.
Colm Cooper is on the verge of an eagerly-anticipated return to competitive action and he was listed amongst the substitutes for Dr Crokes in their county league clash with Milltown-Castlemaine this Sunday.
The player many insist is the greatest of all-time was wearing the number 21 jersey and while he played a full part in the warm-up, he wasn’t needed on the field as his club registered a comfortable 2-10 to 1-8 victory at Lewis Road.
A great air of excitement filled the stand and the terraces in the second half when Cooper warmed up at full pace along the sideline but it was a false alarm as he took his seat again instead of entering the fray.
Gooch looked in great shape and he kicked effortlessly with both legs before the game started and during the half time kickabout.
It was another significant development in his long and difficult rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament tear in a club championship game in Portlaoise in February of last year.
On St Patrick’s Day Cooper was involved in a no-holds-barred Kerry training game in Killarney and he clocked up an impressive 1-6 from his centre half forward position.
It’s now only a case of when – not if – as he completes his remarkable comeback for club and county and Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice could decide to reintroduce the Killarney star to competitive action before the National League campaign concludes.
So what do you think of that Joe Brolly?
Or Brian Cuthbert? Or Jim Gavin? Or Mickey Harte?
And let’s not forget two-trick pony dealer Martin McHugh?
