In the majority of games, it’s very rare that a lack of fitness causes a team to lose a game and it’s not possible to improve skillset and decision-making by running laps.

The three strands of Darren Hughes’ life come together to sustain the Monaghan midfielder; football, family, and farming as he shares a day in a way of life that is rapidly diminishing in rural Ireland.

At this time of year when you’d nearly get the impression that every county player would rather he was anything else, it’s worth bearing in mind that there have been some players that we haven’t heard complain about their plight.

Ex-Dublin senior football performance coach Fergus Connolly reckons the Super 8 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final stages will be a detriment to Irish society.

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford says he “doesn’t really care” why he and his players seem to attract criticism on a regular basis.

If Dublin win, Gavin’s spirit for adventure will be a cause for celebration.

WELSH coach Shaun Edwards, pictured, has been accused of changing the lines in an Irish trad song in the build-up to allegedly headbutting an Irish sports scientist.

SHAUN EDWARDS was suspended from Wales’ Six Nations clash with France after a heated bust-up over the singing of an Irish folk song on the team bus.

THE CLOCK was running down on Martin Johnson’s post-game meeting with the media last Saturday when a last hand went up at the back of the Aviva press room.