Kerry senior football selector Johnny Culloty has urged the match officials on duty for the upcoming Tyrone versus Kerry All-Ireland SFC final day to ensure that star performer Colm Cooper is protected from any illegal tactics. Culloty believes that this year's decider will be Kerry's toughest physical challenge in their championship campaign to date but he has expressed confidence that the referee and his assistants will be up to the task of protecting Gooch. "He will get protection from the referee, and I feel he will; with all the communication today between the officials. "Whoever will beat him will have to do so playing football and it's as simple as that. "He is one of the best that I have ever seen during my time in football." Interestingly, the Kingdom mentor says he doesn't believe that there will be any of the 'swarming' tactics visible this Sunday comparable to that employed by Tyrone in the All-2003 Ireland SFC final meeting of the sides. "I have been watching the games this year and I feel that the refereeing is way stricter this year that in the past and I have to say that. "I don't think that you will see any of those tactics this time around." Tweet

Most Read Stories