Colm Cooper is to undergo surgery on a serious eye injury sustained in Sunday's NFL Division 1 win over Monaghan.
Cooper had an assessment last night on a torn duct in one of his eyes after doctors in Kerry expressed concern about his condition. The Gooch collided with Monaghan defender Darren Hughes after only seven minutes and required treatment on and off the field.
He did not return but Kerry manager Jack O'Connor was afterwards confident that he would be fine. Cooper himself is satisfied that the injury was sustained accidentally but he will also require stitching on his eyelid.
The injury is expected to lay him up for a number of weeks and could yet threaten his participation in Kerry's opening championship match against Tipperary on 23 May.
