No-one has transcended all rivalries quite like Colm Cooper has.
Whether you think he’s the best footballer of the modern era or not, there can be few arguments that he’s one of the most celebrated who’s appreciated all over the island.
Even people who don’t like Kerry, even those who were stung by their dominance, they reserve a special place in their hearts for a man like the Gooch whose elegance and majesty and deft killer blow had the unique ability to bring Gaels of all colour and religion together as one.
If you’re a football fan, you’re a Colm Cooper fan. It’s that simple.
Since the great man’s retirement from inter-county football, the country has been lining up to wish him farewell and to thank him for the memories, the oh so glorious memories.
Some people weren’t as quick though to carry along with the idea that we were waving goodbye to the greatest forward this millennium has ever seen.
How could we ignore such and such? Don’t forget about him. What about Peter Canavan, for God’s sake?
Well, there are so many forwards who have graced GAA pitches all over the country and lit them up with pure magic in their day. During the same era as Colm Cooper, we’ve been lucky enough to witness some of the finest.
Alan Brogan
Obviously.
We talk about Gooch reinventing his game, this man was moved all over the Dublin forward line and used to deadly effect in each position.
As a playmaker, as a runner, as a ball-winner or a finisher, Alan Brogan terrorised defences for the craic right up until his final acts as a county player, when he became one of the most composed and consistent impact subs on the island.
Ciaran McDonald
An unrivaled left foot, this man could score from any angle and any distance.
The best passer in the game. The best long range point-taker in the game. What more do you need to know?
Steven McDonnell
Talk about a man who could fend for himself, the Armagh legend was tough, strong, explosive and relentless.
He could go either way, he could win any ball and the more aggressive his markers got, the more he came to life.
Padraig Joyce
Timeless.
Pádraic Joyce is one of the country’s favourite footballers. He could turn on a shoestring, and turn you again, and find targets with nothing to work with.
He was hungry, game and oh, so talented, came up with answers under serious pressure time and time again. A class act. A legend.
Michael Murphy
In such a short space of time, he’s proven to be one of the most important footballers and it’s not like he’s devoid of different tricks either – as quick as he is big, as imposing as he is elusive.
Peter Canavan
A little menace and a little genius.
A little bit special.
A forward as effective and durable as Colm Cooper and one predominantly at the forefront of arguments saying that Cooper just wasn’t the very, very best.
But what do you think?
Pick your favourite from the seven best* forwards of the modern era.
*For some reason, I was told Paddy Bradley being included in the list would look biased as a Derry native but we all know he would be included on any hall of fame list in any era.
