Kerry's Colm 'Gooch' Cooper is really enjoying Liverpool's stellar form and the forward reckons lessons can be applied from the Reds' success.
The 30-year-old was speaking to our own Diarmuid 'Gizzy' Lyng earlier and Gizzy drew comparisons with Brendan Rodgers as the Gooch described the impact made by Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
"When Eamonn came in there was a feeling that because he was such a young manager and played with a lot of us, it was a big question at the time. That was never an issue. Eamonn said the best players will play, they'd have to show it in training and reputations don't count for anything. He's trying to bring a real family vibe to the whole lot of it because if you're playing intercounty football, you need that," said Cooper, who went to chat about the benefits of having a tight knit group.
Touching on the way Steven Gerrard has developed in a different role this season, the Gooch admits his own move to centre forward suited him.
"I found that last year, playing at centre forward gave me a new lease of life and gave me a desire to know that I had a pivotal role in the team and that for Kerry to win, I needed to perform," he said, adding that the change gave him a greater appreciation for what goes on further back on the pitch.
Colm Cooper of Crokes leaves the field with an injury ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Unfortunately, as we all know, the Dr Crokes club man faces a lengthy spell out of the game due to a serious knee injury and he is taking it in his stride.
"Never take for granted what you have is what I've learnt over the last few weeks. I suppose as you get a little bit older you learn a lot more and take things in a lot more. You become a lot more measured and calculated when you get that little bit older," he admitted, but added that he believes there is a lot more to come from him once he recovers.
And looking at the positives, the Gooch explained that his lay-off should give him the time to work on parts of his body and iron out any niggling problems.
He also touched on the advantage Dublin have by playing most of their games at Croke Park and spoke of the merits of Dublin's following taking road trips to the rest of the country.
