DUBLIN STAR BERNARD Brogan admits that teammate Jonny Cooper was ‘very lucky’ as he continues to recover after being stabbed in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
Cooper was attacked on Lower Dorset Street at about 5.30am last Saturday as he made his way home from a night out.
The 24 year-old All-Ireland winner was released from the Mater hospital on Saturday evening after sustaining knife wounds to the neck and face.
And Brogan admits it could have been ‘a lot worse’ for the Na Fianna club man.
“I spoke to him after the incident, just to send my well wishes to him,” revealed Brogan. “He was in good form, just shocked. It was a nasty experience. Obviously he got some bad scrapes, some bad cuts and stuff but he was very lucky he didn’t lose an eye or it didn’t hit an artery.
“It could have been a lot worse. He’ll have the scars and marks there to remind him of the experience, which was a nasty one. I’m just delighted he’s okay and all the lads wished him well.”
‘Overwhelmed’
Dublin manager Jim Gavin revealed that Cooper has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support he has received in the wake of the ‘violent attack’.
“He’s recovering. It’s obviously been very traumatic for him. It was a violent attack and it was outstanding work by the emergency services and by the medical team and staff in the Mater.
“I absolutely tip my hat to them, it’s inspirational what they can do. I’d just like to say thanks for the amount of supports and messages Jonny has got. He’s been overwhelmed by them.”
Brogan doesn’t agree that Dublin players are more vulnerable to such attacks because of their high-profile status but has stressed the need for people to get home safely from nights out.
“Dublin is a very safe city but you just have to be careful going home on your own. I’m sure whoever it was that attacked him didn’t know he was a Dublin footballer. He just saw someone there on the road on their own and said they’d try and take advantage of him.
“Anyone has to be careful, whoever you are. As a footballer, as anyone, you should just stick together. At the end of a night, come out together, stay together and go home together so there’s no issues.”
