Morley recalls 'culture shock' after sitting in Gooch's seat

August 18, 2017

Kerry's Tadhg Morley against Donegal.
©INPHO/Presseye/Lorcan Doherty.

Tadhg Morley has been recalling his elevation to the Kerry senior squad last year ahead of Sunday's clash with Mayo.

The defender was handed his championship debut against Clare, having not featured in the Allianz League due to his club Templenoe's All-Ireland junior club run. Templenoe - made famous by the Spillanes - ended up beating Ardnaree Sarsfields of Mayo in the final, ensuring Morley of another All-Ireland medal to go along with the one he had won with the Kerry juniors the previous year.

Morley will never forget his first training session with the Kerry seniors when he unintentionally took Colm 'Gooch' Cooper's seat in the dressing-room.

"Certainly, it was a big culture shock (the step-up to senior). I remember the first day I came in I might have sat on the Gooch's seat," he explained.

"Now he didn't say anything, he'd be too nice about it, but you know what I mean...

"The couple of training sessions after I noticed he was sitting there and I was thinking, 'Christ, I sat in his seat the first day'.

"It is a culture shock, but as I say they're very good, they really bring on the younger fellas.

"I know I'm only there a year or two myself, but I'd like to think I'd help the young fellas out now. It's all about integrating everybody and the lads were always very good to me and that helped a lot."


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