Cooper keen on making the cut

GAA: Gavin Cummiskeytalks to Colm Cooper who has opted for London rather than the Dubai sunshine

Picture the scene. The All-Ireland club final in 1992. Dr Crokes are about to burst from the tunnel when a steward informs their captain Seánie O'Shea that no mascots are allowed on the field.

Imagine blocking a pack of Kerrymen from running out in Croke Park over the accreditation of an eight-year-old.

O'Shea, a brother of the current Dr Crokes and Kerry manager Pat, gave the official a choice: step aside or we're going back to the dressingroom.

One presumes the steward came to his senses but maybe, in an Omen-esque moment, he relented after gazing into the eyes of a young Gooch. The future king of Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, well, the 2004 and 2006 deciders anyway.

There is a famous picture of the 1992 team that beat Dublin champions Thomas Davis that day. Two of Colm Cooper's brothers are in the frame but the scraggly redhead child is missing.

"I didn't make the cut for that one," smiles Cooper. "They were a great side. They had an unbelievable record at home for winning county championships and east Kerry championships. We're trying to emulate them I suppose. We have a joke going at home that they'll have to take down their picture and put up a picture of us so we'll see how it goes over the remaining weeks."

Fifteen years have passed since that day. "It was my first time coming up to Croke Park. I remember coming up on the train from Killarney. There was a lot of hype. I probably didn't realise how big it was at the time. Having two brothers there too added to the flavour of it. There were great celebrations."

The club All-Ireland remains the one medal Cooper has yet to pocket. In 2000, Crokes claimed the Kerry title but Glenflesk went into Munster after winning a separate competition. Although a skinny 16-year-old, the Gooch already exuded the mark of a genius.

This Sunday is the first step in 2007 towards the St Patrick's Day experience. An uncomfortable journey over to the London suburb of Ruislip to play the British champions St Brendan's in an All-Ireland quarter-final ensured Cooper turned down the All Star trip to Dubai.

"I wouldn't mind jetting off to warmer climates but I wouldn't be able to go to Dubai and come back into London on the Sunday. I thought about going for a few days but it wasn't feasible."

He's already had a blow-out anyway. The Kerry holiday to Australia took care of that and, if Páidí Ó Sé's autobiography is anything to go on, the All-Ireland winners tend to cut loose during their off-season travels.

It's late January so the focus is coming back around again. Pat O'Shea is the new Kerry manager and is also trying to keep the Dr Crokes dream afloat. He would be reliant on the likes of Eoin Brosnan and Cooper to help share the load.

"He's trying to keep the Kerry troops in order and look after our guys so it's a busy time for him, but I suppose he enjoys it. This is what keeps him going. He likes being involved in teams and I suppose Crokes is his first love. He didn't want to give up that opportunity, especially with the way things are shaping up. Busy but enjoying it."

The retirements of Séamus Moynihan and Mike McCarthy leave a significant void in the Kerry defence this year although Cooper hasn't given up on the latter making a surprise return before summer.

"It's going to be different. It's very hard replacing the two lads. Séamus has given great service for 15 years. Mike has been a fantastic player over the years. He has won three All Stars (2000, 2004 and 2005) and he is (only) 28. I'm sure the door is always left open for Mike in March or April if he decides he'd like to get back into the fold but that's for himself to decide."

Kildare and Leinster champions Moorefield lie in wait in the semi-finals on February 18th if they get through the weekend. Then a final against either Crossmaglen Rangers or Roscommon champions St Brigid's.

Before all that Kerry must travel to Castlebar for the National League opener against Mayo, who are now under the guiding hand of John O'Mahony. Cooper is fully aware they'll be trying to "quiet us down a small bit after the All-Ireland".

There will be plenty attempting this in the coming months.