Neil Ewing: Internal monalogue: Questions the semi-finalists won't dare say out loud

In the week of a big game, players waste energy trying to silence their internal monalogue

INTERNAL MONALOGUE: The four teams heading to Croker for this weekend's semi-finals will waste energy supressing this internal monologue on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and on the bus down Clonliffe Road Saturday or Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Big games are relative. Club and county players know the feelings that dominates the week of a big game.

Monday morning brings a relief of sorts, preparation is over, the run-in has started. Also excitement, the chance to win a game that has been the focus of hundreds of training sessions and thousands of decisions for months, even years, before.