What a diference a week makes. Indeed, what a difference one player with the eye of an assassin can make, as Dr Crokes welcomed back their All-Star corner forward Colm "Gooch" Cooper, who then proceeded to torture Listowel Emmets in Kerry's SFC losers round at Lewis Road at the weekend. Dr Crokes eventually won by 3-18 to 1-7.

Last week without Cooper, Crokes capitulated to Laune Rangers without a whimper, as they drifted through the game like a rudderless ship.

This time round, Crokes had Cooper operating on the edge of the square and he took Emmets closer to the abyss, that could see them bow out of the senior ranks - they play Desmonds in the trap-door shoot-out.

The happiest man in Lewis Road was Kerry boss Páidí Ó Sé, who slipped in with the Crokes supporters seated on the hill five minutes before throw-in.

Under the cover of a large hood and a green anorak, he had come to check on the boy wonder and left well before the end, content Colm Cooper has fully recovered from his groin injury and he probably penciled his name on the team sheet for the clash with Tipperary on Sunday week.

This game was competitive until half time and Cooper was worth the entrance money alone. He scored 1-5, with his goal coming from an Aidan O'Shea through ball in the first half.

However, on the flip side, Eoin Brosnan did not play with Crokes and is rated a doubtful starter against Tipperary as he struggles with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, three players were sent off, two from losers Ashford, as lenient referee Jimmy Lawlor dished out a total of 11 cards to players in the Wicklow senior football championship game won decisively by Baltinglass by 19 points, 5-10 to 0-6, at Aughrim.