Colm Cooper not expecting vintage summer for Kerry

Although he believes that "there is the nucleus of a strong team" in Kerry, Colm Cooper envisages a challenging championship for his county.

"It is a difficult season for Kerry," said last year's captain, who is recovering from a cruciate injury, speaking on Today FM's Championship Sunday this afternoon. "They were maybe in transition the last few years but are certainly in transition this year.

“Their league form was very inconsistent, they only played well in stages and then finished on a very poor performance against Cork. They’ll be hoping to get to a Munster final - that will be the main aim.

“If they can retain the Munster title they’ll be in Croke Park in August and that’s where teams want to be.”

Cooper sustained his season ending injury with his club Dr Croke’s in last February’s All-Ireland semi-final against Castlebar Mitchels, when he fractured a kneecap and ruptured his knee ligament.

“It’s still early in my rehab but it is going fine,” he said. “The rehab has kicked off now and I’m swimming and cycling but won’t take part in any football this summer, but looking forward to watching it.

“It’s going to be difficult for me. For the last 12 seasons I have known nothing different than going in to Killarney, Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Croke Park. It’s strange watching the boys going into training and not being part of it.

“Getting over the initial disappointment takes a few weeks and months but I am over it now and focused on the rehab and looking forward to getting back next year.”

He believes All-Ireland champions Dublin are well placed to emulate Kerry’s achievement seven years ago in becoming the most recent county to retain the Sam Maguire.

“What makes Dublin so hard to beat is their strength in depth. No other team has a squad like it. We played very well against them last year for 65 or 68 minutes but they kept going they are relentless and come at you in waves and we conceded a few scores a few unforced errors and they have so much ability in their forwards.

“No other county has a squad like it so while teams will stay with them for 50 or 60 minutes, the players they can introduce off the bench is a major asset.”