GAA:The news that Mike McCarthy will return to the Kerry panel this week was tempered somewhat this evening with the news that Colm Cooper is to have surgery on an eye injury picked up during yesterday's NFL win over Monaghan.
Cooper left the pitch in Killarney just six minutes into the contest after receiving a blow to his right eye. Having seen a specialist today, Cooper is due to have an operation on the injury in Dublin tomorrow.
Kerry, who retained their Division One status by defeating Monaghan, open their championship campaign against Tipperary in five weeks time.
While a question mark now hangs over Cooper’s availability for that match, veteran defender McCarthy will be back in situ having opted to return to the fold and the centre back will resume training on Wednesday night.
“I think he was vital to our success last year and I think he can be a big part of our attempt to regain the All-Ireland this year,” coach Jack O’Connor said after yesterday’s match.
“He is a great stabilizing influence and the lads have an awful lot of respect for him so it is great to see him back. Sure, the sight of Killarney on a day like this with a good crowd and a high paced game is enough to bring any fella out of retirement.”
Elsewhere, Tipperary’s preparations for their Munster hurling campaign will begin without Paul Kelly after he broke his leg in a club game over the weekend. The 31-year-old sustained the injury playing for Mullinahone against Ballybacon-Grange on Sunday.