The Toughest Road to Recovery

Dr. Crokes’ corner forward Colm Cooper in a no-holds barred situation with Austin Stacks’ keeper, Martin Moriarty and Stack’s wing back, John Dennis during the 2010 AIB County Senior Football final at Austin Stack Park. ©Photograph: John Reidy 17/10/2010

Rocky Road: Dr. Crokes’ centre forward, Colm Cooper getting the full treatment from Austin Stacks corner-back, Denis Costello and his team-mates during the 2012 Garvey’s SuperValu County Senior Football Championship quarter final game at Austin Stack Park. ©Photograph: John Reidy 30-9-2012

Umpire ? Colm Cooper makes his case to the umpires during the 2010 AIB County Senior Football final against Austin Stacks at Austin Stack Park. ©Photograph: John Reidy 17-10-2010

Colm Cooper takes issue with Austin Stacks’ keeper, Martin Moriarty after he questioned the robust marking of the Tralee net-minder during Sunday’s AIB County Senior Football final at Austin Stack Park. ©Photograph: John Reidy 17-10-2010

Ger Keane (centre) pictured with Munster Rugby stars, JJ Hanrahan (left) and Damien Varley during the work-out and launch at An Riocht AC in Castleisland on Thursday. ©Photograph: John Reidy 31-7-2014 — Physical Therapist, Ger Keane (centre) pictured with Munster Rugby stars, JJ Hanrahan (left) and Damien Varley during a work-out at An Riocht AC in Castleisland on last July. ©Photograph: John Reidy 31-7-2014

Take a look at the video documentary that all sports fans are watching this week. It has, of course, a special significance for Kerry Gaelic Football fans all over the world.
It has also a great connection with Castleisland as it shows the work of local physical therapist, Ger Keane.
The greatly in demand Ger is based at An Riocht Health and Leisure Club here in Castleisland and is a regular fixture in the Kerry dugout.
It shows the determination of the often copied never equaled Colm Cooper in his bid to regain the levels of fitness to allow him to ply his unique ability on the kind of stage to which it belongs.
In the AIB sponsored film Colm Cooper makes his long awaited return after The Toughest Road to recovery.  On the 15th February 2014, while playing for his club Dr. Crokes in the Semi-Final of the AIB GAA Club Championships against Castlebar Mitchels, Colm Cooper ruptured his ACL and fractured his knee.  It was a devastating blow for not only the player, but his club, Dr.Crokes, his county, Kerry and the sport of Gaelic football in general, as ‘The Gooch’ is regarded as one of the best footballers of all time.
After sustaining the injury, Colm faced TheToughest road to recovery and AIB, sponsors of both the club championship and the All-Ireland Football Championship were with Colm all the way.  Check out Colm’s journey in TheToughest Road Back and, Castleislanders, look out for Ger Keane’s significant involvement in his journey.
The significance of his contribution to the team was clearly illustrated on All-Ireland final day when he was invited by the heroic Marc Ó Sé to lift the Sam Maguire Cup with him.   AIB are proud sponsors of the Club Championships and this year will become supporters of both club and county as they recently announced their sponsorship of the All-Ireland Football Championships.
Fans everywhere will wish him and Paul Galvin well on their return to the rough and tumble of the game at the year progresses. See the documentary through the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U6EH81Qr7o