Michael Darragh MacAuley believes attitude and hard work are more important attributes than talent.

As reigning Footballer of the Year, the workaholic Dublin midfielder certainly knows what he is talking about when he says:

"Talent is over-rated. I've always expressed that view from a young age. It's the way it goes. Hard work will always beat talent. Some lads don't make it for a variety of reasons.

"When I was growing up, there were guys who were seen as superstars, and a lot of them are nowhere to be seen now. Sometimes it's down to luck and to the breaks; sometimes it's about attitude.

"That's something we try to instill into kids when we're coaching them in GAA camps. If some of them are a little bit smaller, or maybe not as confident as the next fella, I always try to stress to them that it's hard work that will get them where they want to go."

Speaking in The Irish Independent, the Ballyboden St Enda's clubman continues:

"I always had the height of expectations for myself, and it's something that you should have. I always backed myself in everything I did. It's not a cockiness, it's a self-belief. I was always like that. At 16 I felt I should be on the pitch, so I was always looking to take every opportunity I got.

"When I did get on the pitch, then it was up to me to grab that opportunity."

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