With his final year college exams out of the way, Footballer of the Year Michael Darragh Macauley has been concentrating on hitting peak fitness in recent weeks.

The Dublin midfield dynamo had a heavy workload on his hands going into the Leinster SFC opener against Laois but gaelic football is his number one priority now.

"I had a lot on my plate and I wasn't as fit as I could be. Everyone has their own standards and I hadn't met my own standards going into that match," he recalled to the Irish Independent.

"It improved going into the Wexford match. But I have huge room for improvement, which I have my sights set on now.

"I was under a lot of pressure with exams. It's tough, that's the difference between being an amateur and a professional. It's tough being in a library all day, then going to training and getting a few hours' sleep.

"It makes a huge difference being able to get sleep and rest, or doing an extra session if you need it. So hopefully the improved circumstances will help me as the summer continues.

"This is the time you want as a GAA player, when you can prepare and recover like a professional athlete." Tweet

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