Dr Crokes star Johnny Buckley says "there was always going to be uproar" over the testimonial dinner held by his fellow club mate Colm Cooper last month.

Cooper - one of Kerry's all-time greats - took the decision to stage a testimonial at Dublin's Intercontinental Hotel on October 27th to help mark the end of a glittering career with the Kingdom.

The corporate-sponsored event was expected to raise in the range of €250,000 and drew certain criticism from some quarters, with Joe Brolly stating that it went against the amateur ethos of the GAA.

"Being the first one to (have a testimonial), there was always going to be uproar. Throughout the whole thing, Colm handled himself impeccably," Buckley is quoted saying by the Irish Examiner.

"It was tough there when a lot of the stuff was going on. Colm was below training with us (during all this) and he was a normal fella.

"We're delighted for him that it went well. I couldn't make it myself on the night. I know a lot of Crokes lads were up there. It was a great celebratory event."

Both Buckley and Cooper are currently gearing up for Sunday's Munster club SFC final when Crokes will look to retain their crown against old provincial rivals Nemo Rangers at Pairc Ui Rinn (throw-in 2pm).

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