Ten Questions with Ryan O'Dwyer

In the hot seat this week is Dublin's Tipperary-born forward Ryan O'Dwyer, who is in action for the Dubs against Galway in Round I of the Allianz Hurling League on Sunday.

Q: Would you rather an All-Ireland winner's medal in 2012 or this weekend's Lotto numbers?A: A Celtic Cross this year. It's a no-brainer. As a GAA player, as an inter-county player, it's the be all and end all of it. You can win the Lotto when you are 60 and you can make your millions through hard work but you only have so many years to win a Celtic Cross. To win one, you would go down in history and you would join an elite group.

Q: What sport would you play if you lived in a different country?A: I spent a bit of time in America and I would love to play baseball. I hit one or two balls but living in Ireland I don't know if I would get a chance to do it. Living here, if I wasn't playing GAA it would have to be rugby. I played a lot with Cashel when I was younger.

Q: Do you think you'll get involved in coaching when you retire?A: I hadn't really thought about it to be honest. I'll get back to you in a few years' time.

Q: Which former player would you like to take out of retirement and put in the Dublin squad?A: Someone that I would have admired growing up would have been Conal Bonnar.

Q: What's the most memorable game you have ever played in?A: The League final last year was great and the last few minutes were epic, but the most memorable, and only a few people will remember it, was a relegation final that I played for Cashel against Galtee Rovers. It was the first time I ever played centre-back. I was only 19 at the time and I was usually a centre-forward. We stayed up. The whole history of the club went down to that game. Because it meant so much and because it was an epic game, it has to be that one.

Q: What's your opinion on GAA players wearing tights and snoods?A: I've never worn a snood, that's a definite no-no. Michael Darragh Macauley (Dublin footballer), what was he thinking? The tights, yeah, I wear them at training and trust me they are very helpful. With the cold weather in January you would die without them. If you were wearing pants you wouldn't have the same mobility. They're a life-saver.

Q: Who do you least look forward to doing one-on-one drills with in training?A: Niall Corcoran, without a doubt, because that guy goes 100 per cent at everything and you're sore after it. Martin Quilty as well because he hits hard.

Q: Would you rather jump in an ice bath or do a 6.00am training session?A: A 6.00am session. I'd rather do 300 6.00am sessions than an ice bath. Ask any member of the Dublin panel why that is. I just totally despise them. I cry - really.

Q: Would you rather a five-foot putt to win the US Masters or a '65' for the All-Ireland?A: I'd rather take a '65' to win the All-Ireland. In golf everyone is quiet. In an All-Ireland there are people shouting and I'd rather the noise than the total quietness.

Q: Would you rather see Ireland win Euro 2012 or Dublin retain 'Sam' next summer?A: That's tough. I'd like to say Dublin winning Sam again because I know a lot of the lads on the panel and it would be a great achievement to do the double. But I think if Ireland won the Euros it would be like Euro '88 and World Cup '90 - it would bring Ireland out of the recession if they won it. For the sake of the country, for the good of the recession, I'd have to say Ireland winning the European Championships.