Dublin launch the defence of their provincial title this coming Sunday when they travel to Timahoe Co Laois for a Leinster championship semi-final clash with the women from the O'Moore County.

Lyndsey Davey the 25 year old accountant assistant from Skerries Harps will lead the Dub's out for their first championship appearance of the season.  DLGFA meet up with two times All Star to get her thoughts and opinions on a number of topics ahead of Sunday's championship encounter …..

DLGFA: Dublin's last competitive game was back on the 26th of April which is over 9 weeks ago now on that date Dublin lost out to Galway in the NFL semi-final.  How have championship preparations being going for you and your team mates and is it hard to focus on the championship with such a time gap between competitive games?

LD: We've been training really hard over the past 9 weeks and we've had some really competitve challenge games during that time. The 9 weeks has actually flown by with club championship. We also have a lot of players on the 21s panel. Now that the 21s championship is over everyone is 100% focused on our first championship game next Sunday.

DLGFA: A number of last year's squad are unavailable for selection this year either through retirement or travel commitments would you say Dublin are a team in transition?

LD: Yes we are a team in transition but a lot of our younger girls got plenty of game time and experience during our league campaign which will no doubt stand to them in championship.

DLGFA: The U21's won the Counties second All Ireland title in a row on June 21st last following a titanic struggle with Cork.  A number of the U21 squad are also a member of the senior panel does that make the competition for starting 15 places all the more competitive?

LD: Yes there's plenty of competition for places this year which is brilliant. We have a lot of 21s players that will no doubt be fighting for starting places next Sunday.

DLGFA: In 2014 Dublin defeated Laois quite heavily in the Leinster final this season Kildare another team who Dublin had a big winning margin over last year have been regraded down to Intermediate for 2015. Some people feel the standard of football is in decline in Leinster similar to that of the men's code do you think the gap between Dublin and the other senior Leinster Counties is widening?

LD: Unfortunately this has been the case over the past few years but I'm sure Leinster teams have been training really hard in preparation for this year's championship. I think it would be very foolish of us to write off any teams in Leinster this year and we will be taking every game as it comes.

DLGFA: You have been playing senior football for Dublin for over ten years now what has been the highlight of your career to date?

LD: Winning the All-Ireland final versus Tyrone in 2010.

DLGFA: Who or whom has been the most influential person in your career?

LD: My family and friends.

DLGFA: If you could change one rule in Ladies football what would it be?

LD: I would get rid of the sinbin rule

DLGFA: The attendance figures at Ladies games tends to be quite low what do you think could be done to help increase the numbers at Inter County matches?

LD: I think if ladies games were played before the mens games then they would get a lot more coverage and more people would be inclined to come in early and watch the ladies games. I remember playing Tyrone in Croke Park in 2005 before the mens game and a lot of people had come in to watch the second half. For me it was amazing to finish a game with the Hill 16 being full. It's just a pity this doesn't happen more often.

DLGFA: The game of Ladies football is evolving all the time in terms of player's commitment, training schedules and fitness preparation can you tell us what a typical championship week would be like for you?

LD: The week prior to a championship wouldn't be as full on as other weeks. By that stage you hope to have all your fitness, strength and conditioning work done. This week for example we hope to have a challenge or inhouse game early in the week and then we will have a light session on the Friday before the game. The main focus prior to a championship games is on nutrition, hydration and rest.

DLGFA: Finally who on the Dublin senior panel is a future all -star in the making?

LD: Carla Rowe and Olwen Carey both have been exceptional for Dublin during the U21 championship and I can see them carrying that form into our senior championship campaign.

Dublin LGFA will have live updates available from the game on Sunday via their Twitter page follow us @dublinladiesg www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie

Dublin LGFA are proudly sponsored by AIG Ireland www.aig.ie

TG4 Leinster Senior Championship Semi-Final
Sunday July 5th, 3pm
Dublin v Laois
Venue: Timahoe Co Laois

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