Philly McMahon rarin’ to go as new season picks up pace

Dublin footballer Philly McMahon says he is rarin' to go for the 2017 season following the All-Ireland SFC winning squad's recent holiday in Jamaica.

"The head is recharged. I always say, 'You can recharge your head but your body has to follow then after'. When we go back training you want to really run hard, but your body doesn't adapt as quick as your head does."

The experienced Ballymun Kickhams defender knows that the new year will bring up fresh challenges as all-comers look to topple the Dubs after a season that saw Jim Gavin's men capture the triple crown of League, Leinster and All-Ireland titles.

"For me, it's to get the jersey again. Every day to be better – to go home after training every night and to say to myself 'What did I do tonight to make myself better tomorrow?' That's the big thing for me."

Philly knows that what's in the past is in the past and 2017 will be ever more keenly contested than last season.

"I'm trying to think of the last three years. There's been very little in it. I don't know where this 'big gap' has come from. Can you tell me why there's a big gap?

"When it comes to the quarters, semis and final, there's very little in it.

"We could have been beaten by Mayo last year in the first game, and we showed a bit of character and got a chance to redeem ourselves in the second game.

"So I don't think there's much in it, to be honest.

"People think there's more. I think maybe it's the perception that people think we're miles ahead. But we're not," concludes Philly.