‘It’s unfortunate Danny and myself are vying for the same position’
KNOCKNAGREE warrior Tomás Cooper is enjoying football having recovered from the shuddering impact of the cruciate knee ligament injury on two occasions. With club fortunes improving, Cooper is happy to be creating an impact role towards Knocknagree’s march to the capital this weekend.
“I endured the dreaded cruciate ligament injury twice, it was a long road to recovery, often questioning myself if I was doing the right thing. Injuries are the hardest part of the game, to enjoy a winning run makes it all the worthwhile, the sacrifices endured and all the hard work makes it special on reaching an All Ireland Final,” he said.
“I’m one of the elder statesmen in the side, away for a few years, in college in Edinburgh and spending a spell in Australia.
“The urge to play football brought me home and I enjoy the games, there is a great mix of both youth and experience, its all knitting together ahead of the big day.”
From a season when Knocknagree brought a famine to an end when previously supporters doubted Knocknagree’s staying power and ambition, 2017 changed all that in a remarkable run of success.
“Disappointment surfaced year in, year out, it meant, we were questioning ourselves on a regular basis as to whether, we could win a Duhallow title. When John Fintan Daly came on board, he instilled confidence and the drive to better ourselves, that’s evident on winning both the County and Munster championship titles,” said Cooper.
Knocknagree were forced to overcome some of the mightiest around to achieve true recognition of their superiority to reach Croke Park, Cooper recalls the clash with Dromid Pearses in the Munster Final, being unrivalled in terms of quality, desire and played in the fervour of true Cork / Kerry intensity.
“For sheer tension and excitement, that Munster Final was unbelievable, the fare ebbing and flowing down the field, only a few points separating the teams, going to extra time, taking victory, the elations amongst all involved with the team and supporters will live long in the memory,” said Cooper.
The name Cooper is instrumental to Knocknagree, younger brother Danny captained Knocknagree for three seasons and helped gather two consecutive divisional titles.
“It’s unfortunate, Danny and myself are vying for the same position in the middle of the field. We have started together, but I incurred a setback with an injury, for me it’s a case of coming on and shoring up matters,” said Tomás.
“In fairness, Danny is one of the mainstays of the team, driving on from midfield, when I appear, I try and bring a similar work-rate to the side,” he added.
It’s fair to say the commitment of the Coopers and their team mates isn’t in dispute, the experience attained over the years central to delivering a series of impressive performance much to the delight of the wind engineer based in west Cork.
“There is a 32 man panel involved, unfortunately Danny and Eoghan McSweeney picked up injuries in the semi-final, but 28 players have been utilised to date, that shows anybody can do a job,” said Cooper.
The prestige that comes with representing one’s county and province is special, Cooper expects both teams to give their all on Saturday.
“Not in a million years did I expect to running onto Croke Park, to do so with one’s club is a dream come through, that is what the GAA is all about, to do so with your friends you grew up with is so special.
“Both Knocknagree and Multyfarnham will want to win an All Ireland, nothing comes easy, we’re going to Croke Park to do our best and hopefully return with the silverware,” he concluded.