"It's A Long Year. Some Days You Don't Want To Go Training." - Paul Mannion
This week GAA Director General Padraic Duffy issued an expanded version of a proposal to restructure the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in a bid to tackle the congested fixture schedule contributing to player burnout and fatigue.
Less than 10 days after claiming their second All-Ireland title in as many years, several of Dublin's successful Senior Footballers lined out for their clubs in the Dublin Senior Football Championship.
Paul Mannion started for Kilmacud Crokes as they took down rivals Ballyboden St. Enda's one week after the replay win over Mayo.
The 23 year old admits "You get a bit tired of trying to explain to people why the structure of fixtures is as messy as it is. We have to get on with it now, and hope that we can get some solution that will leave everyone satisfied"
He is under no illusions that the packed fixture list takes its toll "It's not easy. A lot of lads say to win an All-Ireland you have to be at every single training session, and eat properly every day. It's difficult - it's a long year. Some days you don't want to go training."
Paul Mannion was speaking to Jamie Moore on Now That's What I Call Sport, you can listen to the full interview below: