Kingdom is hoping it’s Carry on Cooper

I FEEL I have been living in a virtual pub all week.

The difference between country lads and ‘townies’ was brought home to me these past few days, but then again it might be the difference between winning and losing.

When Gaeltacht lost to Caltra in 2004, we buried our phones, locked ourselves away from the world and advised the inn keeper, as we drank in our disappointment ,that if anyone called we were not in.

This week my phone has been pinging for fun and if as many pints have been sank that have been Snapchatted to me, I fear Killarney will be sucked dry of porter.

In truth, I am thrilled for Crokes and their AllIreland success. I am delighted for their two selectors Eddie Tatler and Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan who was always a great sounding board for us as Kerry players.

And for Pat O’Shea, who has served Kerry football so well and not just in winning the 2007 AllIreland. I first came in contact with him when he was doing the primary school coaching circuit when I was just seven and I ended up marking him in the 2000 county final.

And, of course, I am made up for Eoin Brosnan and Colm Cooper. There is a lot of talk in Tralee that with the Gooch now having his complete set of medals, he may walk away but I really hope that is not going to happen.

He owes Kerry football nothing – the debt is all ours, something I feel personally because I know that he put a lot of medals into my pocket.

He is a genius and, more importantly, he is a gentleman, which is why the whole county was on a high on St Patrick’s Day when he finally ticked that box. Here’s hoping he’s not finished just yet.