Kerry forward Colm Cooper could be accused of taking the team holiday to new heights after announcing his intentions to stay on in America for several months, reports Ian O'Riordan.
In fact this was a long-planned break from what he says is seven years' non-stop commitment to the game, despite being still only 24.
The Kerry team leave for the west coast of America and Hawaii on December 28th for a two-week holiday, but Cooper has got the approval of team manager Pat O'Shea to take the extended break, even though he will likely miss the entire National Football League.
Cooper has also been able to take a leave of absence from his employers, AIB, although he intends to be back in Kerry in ample time for their Munster championship opener next June, against either Waterford or Clare. He also insists it has nothing to do with fatigue or lack of interest in the game, but rather a desire to see a bit more of the world.
This time last year Kerry's Declan O'Sullivan and Paul Galvin took an extended break, staying in Australia for several months after the team holiday, and that didn't do their championship form any harm.
Cooper will return with the team before departing again in late January, and as yet has no definite plans for his excursion, beyond a first stop-off in Arizona for the Superbowl.
