Paul Rouse: Any serious footballer must be excited about this year's calendar 

Playing all these matches has to beat the relentless grind of training.

Down players warm-up before the Dr McKenna Cup semi-final against Derry at Pairc Esler last week. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

This is a football season like no other.

The pre-season competitions have already seen counties play around three competitive matches each. There have also been sundry challenge matches around the country.