After committing to another year with the Tipperary hurlers, two-time All-Ireland winner Brendan Cummins has said he will not be cutting any corners once training resumes.
The 36-year-old will undergo the same tortuous fitness regime as the rest of his Premier County teammates as the Munster kingpins look to wrestle the Liam McCarthy Cup from the clutches of great rivals Kilkenny.
"If I am going back next year it will be in Dr Morris Park with the rest of the fellas in the muck because it will tell me that this is what I want," the Ballybacon-Grange netminder stated.
"I don't want to be sitting in a hot gym looking out at the lads just because I've done it so many times. I don't think that's fair. I do what everyone else does and the day I can't is the day I stay at home."
He added: "I don't think any player can sit at home expecting to get a phone call saying, 'you are going to be playing next June in the championship.' You have to earn that right every year and that is what has helped me in terms of my longevity, in that I don't take anything for granted."