Footballer of the Year nominee Colm Cooper has given his backing to his Dr Crokes club colleague Pat O'Shea to continue as Kerry manager for a third year. The Kingdom's All-Ireland final defeat to Tyrone has inevitably raised questions about O'Shea's future, but Cooper says there is 'no reason' why he should not be in charge in 2009. "Pat will be hurt by our defeat the same as everybody else. Give it a couple of weeks and he'll have a look at whether he is going to be in charge next year or not. I don't know, but I'm sure Pat will agree that there is plenty of encouragement for Kerry next year," the 'Gooch' said. "It's not like guys have disappeared off the scene. I think most people would like him to stay on. I'd say that if he wants the job next year, he's probably first in line. There's no reason why he should not be in charge." Cooper believes that the Kerry players' return to club action will help them get over their All-Ireland final heartbreak. "It's never easy losing an All-Ireland final. Of course, there is disappointment there and that will be there for a little while. Guys were back playing with their clubs at the weekend and I played a game. It's like falling off a bike. You get back on and try and get back into a winning mentality." Tweet

Most Read Stories