Kerry, Munster, Ireland, the world have lost a big part of themselves today.
Colm Cooper’s retirement brings an end to the career of the finest footballer that the GAA was ever lucky enough to host and the impact will be felt far and wide.
Dear Colm Cooper.
You were my man of the match.
Wizard. #GAA— judy murray (@JudyMurray) April 24, 2016
Huge congrats to @colmcooper13, @brosnaneoin & all at @drcrokesgaa on yesterday's All-Ireland Senior Football Club Championship victory!
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) March 18, 2017
For 15 years, the Kingdom’s most lucrative production had been winning the plaudits and admiration of the entire GAA-loving world. The magic which he seemingly just conjured up from nowhere but his own two feet left the island marveled and dazed and left no doubt in the minds of most that this guy is the best to ever grace our turfs.
Since back in 2002 when Paidi Ó Sé sprung this lethal dynamite on the country, football as we knew it changed forever.
I was in Gaelic Grounds the day Gooch made Kerry debut v Laois in Div 2 league final; scored a goal after 5 mins 1/2 pic.twitter.com/akS2MrfQ8X
— Shane Scanlon (@ScanlonShane) April 4, 2017
Typical of the man to just smile cheekily at the treasure he had unearthed.
With a wink Paidi said after "we didn't find him under a stone, it was actually a pebble, but I'm telling you now we've got a pure gem here"
— Shane Scanlon (@ScanlonShane) April 4, 2017
What followed was unprecedented.
- 10 Munster titles
- 8 All-Stars
- 5 All-Irelands
- 4 National Leagues
It was a decent innings from the man they call Gooch. The man who railed against the modern changes in football and continued to base his game solely on skill.
In doing so, he continued to remain the best footballer in Ireland.
And the best recognised that.
@colmcooper13 Most intelligent and skilful footballer I have ever seen. Croke park will miss you. Enjoy retirement #Gooch
— Henry Shefflin (@ShefflinHenry) April 4, 2017
Brilliantly put by an old team mate.
Put Gooch in a phone box with a pack of wolves & he'd still hav the poise to hit 'em with a dummy solo & stroll out unscathed. The greatest.
— Mike Quirke (@Mike_Quirke) April 4, 2017
The man responsible for the game’s most famous nickname.
@tomas5ky Crokes keeper Peter O'Brien, left credited naming Colm Cooper 'The Gooch' as mascot in 1992 All-Ireland Club champions @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/CDqYD3RkzX
— macmonagle (@MACMONAGLE) April 4, 2017
No-one even comes close.
Best wishes Gooch. The best ever. No one that I've seen could lace his boots. And I don't say that lightly. Enjoy retirement my man 🏐👊🏼
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) April 4, 2017
The best.
No more Colm Cooper. The best. Bar none pic.twitter.com/0K22XSSOBG
— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) April 4, 2017
He HAS fooled us all before…
Wouldn't it be great if Colm Cooper sold one last dummy and didn't retire today 😂
— Sylvester Hennessy (@Slyone1069) April 4, 2017
Thanks for the memories, Colm.
Colm Cooper is the greatest
— Laura O'Sullivan (@Lauraosullivaan) April 4, 2017
Best wishes to colm cooper in his retirement. Some man for one man #colmcooper #TheGooch #KerryGaa #football
— Aisling (@Limerick_chicky) April 4, 2017
Sad day with The Gooch retiring from intercounty football. One of the all time greats of the game. A pleasure to watch #ColmCooper #KerryGaa
— Cathal (@CathalU2ie) April 4, 2017
Magician, role model, footballer, winner. There is only one Colm Cooper. Made our summers brighter and an absolute gentleman. Enjoy it sir.
— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) April 4, 2017
Take a bow Colm Cooper A true legend of our era Inspirational to manys the child, including my own 👍#lastofthenippyforwards?@colmcooper13 pic.twitter.com/zHh03fLoc2
— Ray Finlay (@Finlaytown) April 4, 2017
