The scale of Cooper’s pending largesse also has many feeling uncomfortable, although it might not be as sizeable as some have led themselves to believe. It has been lost that two charities, as well as Dr Crokes and Kerry, will benefit from the event because the organisers failed to sell the night properly and recognise it as the first of its kind. It is admirable that worthy causes and his teams stand to reap a dividend from it, but the bottom line is Cooper is in line to pick up a considerable cheque.

Last week, GAA director general Páraic Duffy said the testimonial went against the ethos of the association because money that would otherwise go specifically to a GAA cause is now going into the pocket of a player. Furthermore, a testimonial is not like an autobiography or an endorsement where a player is actually recompensed for the time they are putting into a product or association with it. Cooper is simply not being paid for his time to attend his night but for the time he spent playing for Kerry.

It’s hardly surprising that Brian O’Driscoll, who has enjoyed two testimonials, and Shane Lowry, like O’Driscoll a professional sportsman, have backed Cooper’s event. Neither is it a shock that the likes of Kieran Donaghy and Paul Galvin have defended him. Both of his former team-mates are well aware of their worth as are many of that great Kerry era. That is not a criticism, simply a fact, and more power to them. But there is a difficulty in explaining the nakedness of this earner, which, unlike anything else from which Cooper has gained, has been part-organised by himself.

The gala function takes place when Gaelic football has never been more polarised between the haves and have-nots, the county and the club scene.

Last week, the GPA charged $50,000 €42,350) per premium table at their annual New York dinner. They maintain they aren’t hitting up the same ex-pats and benefactors for cash, but that is untrue. Many of the same people are being tapped.

GPA founder Donal O’Neill was in touch with this column last week to support Cooper for “breaking new ground”. He mentioned that former Down player Conor Deegan had proposed a similar idea 13 years ago to the GPA whereby the monies raised would go towards a pensions scheme for former inter-county footballers and hurlers.

“I thought it was very clever indeed but a shade too soon. No breach but a helpful thank you to our players.”

Rather than completely ruling out testimonials, it might be an idea for the GAA to encourage a sharing of the wealth in a manner like this than completely ruling them out in the future.

The GAA, in conjunction with the GPA, have established a former players’ benevolent scheme but an annual event may be one way of augmenting it.

Nine years ago, O’Neill predicted that a team rather than the GPA might be responsible for guiding the GAA towards professionalism. Dublin’s footballers remain the group most likely to fulfil O’Neill’s prophecy but the Cooper testimonial brings the core value of the organisation into sharp focus. Where many managers at county and club level continue to be paid under the table, Cooper is guilty of being open about the fact he will profit from the gathering in Dublin’s International Hotel.

Cooper won’t admit it — he can’t withdraw now — but perhaps he has mixed opinions on what happens in 10 days’ time. Many have offered opinions but the silent majority either oppose or pity his initiative, or both. He has let himself become a guinea pig. Arguably the most popular footballer of his generation, it’s frightening to think of the reaction had a player held in less esteem by the public organised such an event. Much like his time on the field, if he can’t get away with it, nobody can.

GAA splitting its identity

“If we are putting players first they should have the freedom to play whichever sport. They are amateur games, after all, and my wish would be that a player who wants to play both codes should be facilitated.”

Former GAA president Liam O’Neill’s words, uttered back in 2013, regularly come back to us these days as the organisation seems to be on a clear pathway to sever itself.

O’Neill was talking about the county dual player who sadly has become the GAA’s Dodo.

The endangered species now is the dual club player as dual counties know only too well following decisions taken by the two Congresses this year.

The increase in the number of dual weekends in next year’s draft master fixtures calendar underlines the fear that the GAA is organising two sports that are becoming less and less complementary.

Last year, there were five weekends during the league when there were both football and hurling fixtures. In 2018, there will be an increase in double league weekend and both competitions will begin on the same January weekend with only one weekend in the round stages where hurling has a weekend for itself.

In the first weekend of the championship on May 12/13, there is set to be over five football games as well as the four provincial round-robin games and the Super 8 will also take place on weekends when the hurling championship is closing to a conclusion.

There is method in all this as it will free up dates for clubs but the day of the All-Ireland football and hurling competitions being scheduled with an acknowledgement of the other is becoming a thing of the past.

Never mind the silliness of ideas like dividing Dublin, the GAA should be more concerned that it’s dividing itself.

No other Sunday comes close

In the Gaelic Grounds, there was an honouring of Liam Kennedy’s memory. In Páirc Uí Chaoimh, St Finbarr’s searched deep inside themselves and produced heroism. In Fraher Field, Dan Shanahan made another mark in this great year against ageism even if it was in defeat. In Cusack Park, Clooney-Quin defied Sixmilebridge and, for that matter, the rest of Clare in living to fight another day.

In Austin Stack Park, Ballyduff’s Aidan Boyle proved there was one Boyle which Lixnaw neglected to consider. In Semple Stadium, Clonmel Commercials left it late. In MacCumhaill Park, Kilcar ended a 24-year wait as Armagh Harps did a 26-year gap in the Athletic Grounds as did Lámh Dhearg a 25-year yearning in Glenavy. In Healy Park, Omagh held on. In St Tiernach’s Park, wily Scotstown wheeled away.

In Tuam Stadium, Corofin counted their fingers on one hand. In O’Connor Park, Rhode showed they are as ready for road as they were 13 years ago. In O’Moore Park, Portlaoise regained that old familiar feeling as did Mount Leinster Rangers in Dr Cullen Park. In St Conleth’s Park, Ronan Sweeney rolled back the years. Ditto Leighton Glynn in Aughrim. In Drogheda, Newtown Blues enjoyed home comforts while in Ruislip Robert Emmet’s were dethroned by Kilburn Gaels.

Snapshots of an October Sunday. Collectively, no other Sunday in the GAA calendar comes close.

Email: john.fogarty@examiner.ie