Appliance of science is so vital

IN terms of fitness and sports science, there are few Gaelic footballers with a better understanding of recovery than Philly Mcmahon.

Among other things, the Dublin star is a gym owner and is the founder of Fit Food and he believes the new Super Eights format places huge demands on players.

A big problem, he says, is the “loading on the body” caused by playing three highoctane games in four weeks.

“The opposite to that is a lot of players will enjoy it because you won’t probably train as much then,” said Mcmahon.

“I’m looking forward to it. Based on just playing games all the time, I think it’s going to be interesting.

“For us, I’d certainly be looking at my recovery protocols, what I’m doing after games and after training sessions.

“It’s going to be important that you really go after performance aspects of the game, whether it’s your nutrition, recovery or sleep.” The experienced defender believes the intensive schedule means it’s inevitable Jim Gavin and the other managers will chop and change.

“Jim uses all his subs on game-day, so we’re very lucky that he’s done that already, there won’t be any lads coming in feeling uncomfortable,” said Mcmahon.

“So there’s no doubt that there’ll be chopping and changing to keep the squad fresh.”