Joe would have loved it. The perfect day for cross country, rain, wind and cold, a day which would have suited battle hardened Harriers. Today was the day we said a fond and emotional farewell to our captain and our leader as he passed the gates of Morton Stadium Santry for the last time. The Harriers paid a fitting tribute to Joe and his family, as best we could during these terrible Covid days, lining the road from Santry village up to the stadium gates. On behalf of Joe’s family and Clonliffe Harriers we would like to thank the whole athletics community for their support, in particular the “noisy neighbours” our friends Raheny Shamrocks, who turned out in very big numbers today, we would also like to thank the clubs throughout Dublin and indeed the country for their messages, texts, phone calls it is a great comfort to Gladys, Pamela, Emma, Joseph, Robert and Ian. Gladys has vowed that Joe will be given the night of nights in the Clonliffe Harriers club bar once it is safe to do so. Then we will celebrate the life, achievements and legacy of the great Joe Cooper in the Clonliffe way!
Nil desperandum.