"It is very important to use your own initiative to get ahead of things, pre-plan and be ready to go, especially when getting into the serious part of the season".
Friday: Match day minus 2
Tonight is a green session. A chance to focus on skills and fine-tune the plan for the weekend ahead. The panel completes a skills session on the pitch before training. Working in pairs around their scoring zone, they use both feet to kick the ball over the bar. A sequence of give-and-go, dummies, and blocks before they begin their warm-up.
The rain beats down on the dugout, a stark contrast to Wednesday evening. The warm-up is completed, and they begin the session. The focus for tonight is skills work but an added element of fun to keep things light-hearted. Rounding off a busy week for the Dubs, they complete a series of challenges with a ball always in hand. Following the series of drills they replicate the matchday warm-up and complete a series of walk-throughs before retiring to the warmth of the dressing room.
The team is announced that evening in the seminar room and the post-training meal is provided by Fergus McNally, Stephen Kenny's former kit man.
Saturday: Match day minus 1
A rest day for players. Hannah Tyrrell is juggling a busy life off the pitch. Her daughter Aoife turns one tomorrow and will celebrate her first birthday party today.
"I'm kept busy with Aoife. It's quite hectic and it's how I like it.
"A lot of preparation. A lot sacrifice from my family and commitment from other people, particularly my wife. It's just preparation and obviously understanding from management.
"I come late to training a couple of times a week just with childcare issues and stuff. It's just about being busy, being prepared, staying ahead, staying on top of things and trying to do bits when Aoife is gone to bed.
"It's busy but it's something I've gotten used to."
Sunday: Match day
Matchday begins at 10am in DCU. An hour-long gym session is scheduled for the rehab group and players not part of the matchday panel.
The matchday squad meets at 11am for 30 minutes. A final run-through of tactics and plans for the game ahead. They travel to Manguard Park, the Kildare GAA centre of excellence, on the team bus. Willie O’Connor and his assistant, Cian O'Connor, head off in the van during the team meeting.
They arrive more than an hour before the team bus to set up the dressing room. Two flags on the wall, their team mottos and crest printed on a blue background and 28 sky blue, and two navy jerseys perched on hangers around the room. Willie, a former military officer, arranges the half-time snacks and energy drinks on the table in the dressing room. It is immaculate – not one item out of line. The O'Connor pair will leave the pitch with five minutes to half-time and arrange the dressing room for the team before the whistle is blown.
Dublin establish a strong lead in the first half and continue to assert their dominance throughout the game. Captain Rowe contributes a hat-trick as the final score reads 4-19 to 0-09 in Hawkfield.
The unused subs or those who played less than 30 minutes complete a set of mass runs to ensure players maintain a consistent level of conditioning. Sinéad Goldrick played a full 60 minutes however she joins the group; she will return to Melbourne following the All-Ireland series. Goldrick highlights mindset as key to being a professional athlete.
"The main difference is time and people are paid in Australia. But when I look at being a professional I really think it's a mindset.
"I can't remember what rugby player said it but you can have three mindsets. You're either a plus, a neutral or a minus within a team and it's your choice of what you are.
"You have choices each time you come to training, and sometimes you are in the minus when you're having a bad day, and you want someone to put you back in the plus, but it's about being aware of what you're at and what you're giving to the team".
The post-match meal is consumed. Willie and Cian pack up the equipment in the van. Gear bags are stowed carefully under the bus, and the players pile back into their seats for the journey back as a group to DCU. The squad disperse to their cars, some sharing lifts as they head north, west and south of the city. A chance to recover, catch up with family and prepare to go again.
No stone is left unturned during the week, as it has been all year. Bohan describes the season as a 'journey'. That journey has brought five All-Ireland titles during his reign. Dublin will hope that this journey continues for another four weeks all the way to lifting the Brendan Martin trophy in Croke Park on 4 August.
Watch the Blues sisters documentary on RTE Player as as cameras follow a season in the life of 2017 All Ireland champions the Dublin Ladies Footballers
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