Colm Cooper will not be taking the challenge posed by Tipperary lightly.

Kerry open their 2012 Munster SFC account against the Premier County in Thurles on Sunday week and talismanic attacker Cooper knows the favourites will have to be on their guard:

"It'd be very silly for us to look past Tipperary," the Dr Crokes clubman says in The Examiner. "Their minors and U21 sides have done very well over the last few years which proves there is underage talent coming through in the county.

"With their hurlers playing as well on the day, I think Tipperary will have a big crowd behind them in Semple Stadium.

"I know we're going to be going in as big favourites but we're not taking them for granted."

Cooper added that he feels refreshed and re-energised following his two-month break from intercounty football:

"At the time I felt physically fine. But to put in so much effort into something, as I've done with Dr Crokes and Kerry over the last few years, you need to step back at some stage.

"I felt the benefit would be seen later in the year if I took some time out during the spring and sat out a few league games. Mentally, I felt I needed to recharge the batteries.

"Professional sports people cannot keep going at a top level the whole time, let alone amateur players.

"As the league went on, I started to miss it more and more with Kerry. So I was delighted to get back on board and I'm raring to go now with Kerry. It's been good to play football with the club as well." Tweet

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