Gilroy defends dawn sessions

Dublin boss Pat Gilroy has rejected suggestions he is placing excessive demands on his players.

The Dublin panel trained collectively more than 40 times in January, but Gilroy insists players are more than willing to make the commitment.

“If we weren’t having organised sessions — and I can only speak for our own group — the lads would be doing something themselves,” said Gilroy yesterday. “One of the hardest things to enforce is them not doing something if they have some down-time. These fellas are mad keen to be out and doing training and building their fitness.