Universal respect for the man who had a universal effect.
There’s probably not one being on this planet who would ever deny Colm Cooper his dues as one of the greatest the game has ever seen.
Masterful with a football, tactful with his ambitions, he reinvented a sport that was in the middle of being reinvented in a different direction. With pure gracefulness and elegance, Gooch was a destructive force who tore apart all before him in the most beautiful way.
Like the opposite of Roy Keane, Colm Cooper's pure desire is overlooked because of his skill, writes @ConanDohertyhttps://t.co/r9ga2LY58h
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) April 4, 2017
As Gaelic Football changed rapidly at the turn of the millennium and everyone bought into the idea that conditioning had a direct correlation with success, Colm Cooper garnered eight All-Stars for himself and five All-Irelands for his county by playing ball.
When guys were off curling their biceps, the man who will go down in history was too busy kicking points and goals and his legacy will never be questioned now because of his decisions.
From idol to teammate to friend it's been some journey! Delighted I got the chance to play with the best, great memories @colmcooper13 pic.twitter.com/MWhHzt5Ut4
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) April 4, 2017
His impact was felt far and wide and loved all over.
What a footballer The Gooch has been. Unmarkable at his best. The greatest 'Two trick pony' you're ever likely to see… Been a pleasure pic.twitter.com/oqkIiV8ZhO
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) April 4, 2017
Even in Tyrone.
@colmcooper13, one of the best forwards ever to play our game. An absolute joy to watch and lit up Croke park in many of an occasion.
— Owen Mulligan (@owen_mulligan) April 4, 2017
But it was Ronan O’Gara who summed up the man and his genius to complete perfection.
The Irish rugby legend is hardly a stranger to the values of strength and conditioning coming from the background he does but even O’Gara prioritised the skill levels he had with the oval ball over how much he could bench press.
When you’re playing sport – especially football – it all boils down to whether or not you can actually play. For Cooper, he excelled above everyone else – probably across the entire history of the game – because of the possibilities he could see in his head and the way he could execute them with his body.
In that sense, he was a trailblazer in the modern game and one which O’Gara appreciated to the maximum.
A footballing genius bows out. Bravo Gooch. You showed why brains and speed of thought always wins out.
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) April 4, 2017
Even Cork men can hold their hands up.
Game respects game.
