Mike Quirke: Whatever else, keep your eyes on the ball

For club teams all over Ireland, this is the time of year filled with optimism and expectation.

New or returning management teams are in place, and they have begun their first phase of training with the highest number of players that they will probably see all year — everybody comes out for pre-season.

The meeting has surely taken place by now, you know the one… where everybody pledges their complete devotion to the club for the year, and each and every one promises faithfully that America is definitely not on the agenda for this summer.