I've been scratching my head trying to come up with an opening paragraph for this piece but it's proving very difficult to come up with some superlatives to describe Colm Cooper that have not been used already. Indeed that point has also probably been already made somewhere.
So good at football that he was almost unspectacular, Colm Cooper rarely ever put a foot wrong. That's what made him phenonmenal. He didn't rely on points from 55 yards or big hits to leave his mark. His mark was consistency, decorated with 'How did he do that?' moments of sheer brilliance. The reaction online this morning has of course been one of huge respect.
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
A few defenders will sleep better tonight now that the great one has retired. Congrats on a great career @colmcooper13 #thegreatest #hero
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) April 4, 2017
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
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
I always loved summers in Croker watching Colm Cooper probably the best I've seen. Also delighted #Gooch got his club medal. #gaa
— Hugh Lynn (@lthugh) April 4, 2017
Colm Cooper - the greatest of them all, privilege to see him play.
— Dónal Marah (@donalmarah) April 4, 2017
35-447 in 145 senior games for Kerry. Average of almost 4 points a game. Tet it tells only part of Colm Cooper's epic tale. #GAA #Kerry
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) April 4, 2017
Colm Cooper is to Gaelic football what Séamus Heaney is to poetry, really. A deity of his craft. Ptah of the code. Gooch is a true genius
— Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) April 4, 2017
It was a treasure to watch Colm Cooper work his magic. G'luck Gooch. @colmcooper13 @Kerry_Official pic.twitter.com/17UgJQJn9T
— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) April 4, 2017
Congratulations on a great career @colmcooper13 and best of luck in the next chapter G.O.A.T 🐐 #GAA
— EamonFennell (@EamonFennell) April 4, 2017
The greatest Gaelic player I have ever seen past or present was the Gooch.Pleasure to share a pitch over the years.@colmcooper13
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) April 4, 2017
Gooch @colmcooper13 not playing champo for Kerry this year is like Cryuff not playing 1978 World Cup for Holland. Hamlet Without The Prince.
— Joe Ó Muirċeartaiġ (@muirioch) April 4, 2017
We have always been blessed with great footballers in Kerry ever since Dick Fitzgerald but @colmcooper13 was the best of them all! #legend
— Dr Gavan Ring (@GavanRing) April 4, 2017
Heartbroken,the game will lose a lot of its magic for me .there is nobody with his style and skill .
— Therese kiernan (@Theresekiernan1) April 4, 2017
Dear Colm Cooper.
You were my man of the match.
Wizard. #GAA— judy murray (@JudyMurray) April 24, 2016
It looks like the main man is leaving the scene. What a player. An absolute wizard and the coolest & classiest of them all. @colmcooper13 👏👏
— Steven McDonnell (@StevenMcD13) April 4, 2017
Also read: The Day We Were Dreading Is Here As Colm Cooper Set To Announce Retirement
