KERRY LEGEND MIKE Frank Russell has praised All-Ireland final boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice for keeping their opponents guessing about Colm Cooper’s true fitness.

Cooper was ruled out for the entire season back in February when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury as well as a fractured knee cap.

But six months on, he wore the number 28 jersey and was fully togged out during the warm up for their semi-final replay win over Mayo.

It prompted speculation that the ‘Gooch’ may play some role though he wasn’t used and was subsequently ruled out of the final also by Fitzmaurice.

Opposing Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has stated that he must prepare for a Cooper appearance, however, and Russell feels it was a clever move by Fitzmaurice to keep Donegal and Mayo guessing.

“No, the ‘Gooch’ won’t be playing, no,” said Russell. “There were rumours down below about it but, in fairness, I think it’s a good management ploy by Eamonn Fitzmaurice. I think he’s keeping other teams guessing which I think is the main thing.

“Colm, I know myself, is running in straight lines but unfortunately he hasn’t enough football played, not to start anyway. I think he couldn’t barring a miracle.

“But I think Eamonn Fitzmaurice has played it well to be fair to him. He’s definitely keeping the opposition guessing.”

McGuinness’ comments before their semi-final win over Dublin about the capital county enjoying almost professional level resources that other counties can’t match, could be interpreted as similar gamesmanship.

Russell played Sigerson Cup football with McGuinness at IT Tralee back in 1998. Tom Honan / INPHO Tom Honan / INPHO / INPHO

Ironically, Donegal have used a helicopter to transport players to training recently while they are to fine tune their final preparations during a five-day training camp at the plush Lough Erne resort in Fermanagh.

They had a similar five-day camp in Meath ahead of the Dublin game and trained in Portugal for a week at the end of the league.

“It’s very ironic with Jim McGuinness,” said five-time All-Ireland medallist Russell. “Donegal were away for five days, you can’t get more professional than that.

“He was mentioning the Dublin team but I think the Mayos, the Kerrys, they’ve all brought it up a level really. Kerry, I think, are in Fota Island for two days but, yeah, you had helicopters and stuff mentioned (in Donegal). There is a bit of money involved there too, you know.

“I suppose the Donegals, the Kerrys, the Mayos and these teams – Dublin obviously have the bit of money with AIG – so they’ve all had to bring it up a level.”

Russell and McGuinness were Sigerson Cup winning colleagues back in 1998 on a star studded IT Tralee team that included Seamus Moynihan, Padraic Joyce and Michael Donnellan.

At the time, McGuinness sported long hair and a goatee beard, hinting at a carefree attitude.

“People were maybe a bit fooled by that,” said Russell. “He had a sharp brain. He commanded respect as he was a very good speaker. He came across to me as a man who thought a lot about the game. He seemed to have a plan always.”