DOUBTFUL COOP; GAA 9 DAYS TO ALL-IRELAND FINAL.

Byline: MURT MURPHY 

THE Kerry management team appear to have more pressing problems than the swine flu as Colm Cooperis participation in Sunday week's All-Ireland Football Final appears to be some doubt.

Cooper injured his hip before the semi final meeting with Meath but played with the aid of a painkilling injection though he was well below par and was substituted for the first time this season.

The injury has flared up again it is rumoured and it appears that the pain has moved to the knee thus restricting Cooperis participation in training and games in recent days.

It is understood that Cooper is undergoing an intense daily physio treatment though it is too early yet to speculate on how this latest injury might affect Cooperis availability for the final but Kerry chiefs are believed to be worried.

Good news though for Jack O'Connor is the fact that Kieran Donaghy is back playing football and has played in two trial games that were staged behind closed doors on Sunday and Tuesday night at the Fitzgerald Stadium.

It is believed that he is making good progress but his inclusion from the start, is thought to be highly unlikely.

The build up to the final has been very low key in the Kingdom and the it appears that the Kerry players are going to be kept under warps from the public and the supporters until All-Ireland Final day.

In a marked departure from Kerryis long held tradition of allowing the public to watch them train in the build up to the final, supporters who have tried to gain entry to the Fitzgerald Stadium of late have found the gates locked.

Then the very popular open day when hundreds of young fans descend on Fitzgerald Stadium this Saturday prior to All-Ireland Final day to get autographs and photographs with their heroes has now also been curtailed.

This Saturday for the first time the autographing-hunting youngsters will not enjoy the same access to their county heroes which they enjoyed in previous years because of the threat of swine flu.

Instead, it is intended to present each child with a pre-packaged production which will include pen pictures of the squad, autographed by each panel member.

County Chairman Jerome Conway explains this dramatic change.

"It is simply a precaution so close to the final. As always the session will be open to the public, and especially to the kids.

"However, the one major difference this year is that there wouldn't be any interaction with the players.

"Due to the swine flu fears, we felt it was necessary to take precautions.

"So instead of the kids going out onto the field after the game, each child will receive the packaged production."

CAPTION(S):

KNEE PROBLEM Colm Cooper is undergoing intensive physiotherapy