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Ciaran Kilkenny 'buzzing' ahead of clash with Wicklow

Ciaran Kilkenny

Ciaran Kilkenny

It’s a testament to the culture within the Dublin football panel at the moment that manager Jim Gavin was comfortable cutting all ties with his players for the month of April.

Whereas some other county managers still convened training sessions during that four-week break from inter-county action, Gavin was content to let his players focus exclusively on training and playing with their clubs. 

According to Ciaran Kilkenny, that’s because he knew the players would be self-motivated enough to continue training as hard as ever with their club as they do with the county.

Such is the competition for places within the Dublin panel right now, that no player could afford to report back for duty at the start of May in anything other than the best physical shape possible.

“They facilitated us to make decisions ourselves and to look after ourselves in that four-week period in terms of going to the gym,” said Kilkenny.

“That's the culture we've created in the team. Players know they have to look after themselves and if they don't then such is the environment that we are in, someone else will get your position.

“So you just have to be on your toes all the time, trying to do the best that you can to put yourself in the best position to start for the team.

“There's so much competition for places that you can't afford not to be looking after your training schedule, your physical development, and your preparation during that period. You just have to be as focused as you can.”

The Dublin players had left the jersey in a good place before the club-break by defeating Galway in the Allianz Football League Final.

Dublin v Galway - Allianz Football League Division 1 Final

Dublin v Galway - Allianz Football League Division 1 Final

The manner in which they closed out the match despite being reduced to 14 men for most of the second-half testified to the enduring hunger within the group.

“It showed great mental resolve on our behalf and the lads who came on and finished the game had a massive influence on it,” said Kilkenny.

“A lot of these guys are still  very young men and it's really encouraging that they showed that sort of leadership that day by making really important plays that had a massive influence on the game.

“We still have a capacity to improve because there were a lot of areas in that game where we could have done better.

“We'll be spending time on building those aspects of our game to put us in the best position.”

Dublin’s bid for four-in-row All-Ireland titles begins with Sunday’s clash against Wicklow in O’Connor Park.

Kilkenny believes he and his team-mates are as driven as ever, and is excited by the prospect of being involved in the newly established All-Ireland Quarter-Final series.

“I'm absolutely buzzing. You look at it as a new and fresh challenge. It's a new year with a new format and every year brings a new challenge and excitement.

“If we're fortunate enough to get there (All-Ireland Quarter-Final series), the thoughts of going on the road to play one of those matches at another venue is really exciting for us and the supporters as well to go to a different part of the country. 

“It's just all really positive at the moment.”