Pat Gilroy has moved to defend Dublin's pre-dawn training sessions by claiming the players are completely happy with the commitment required from them.
Since taking over as Dublin manager three years ago Gilroy has worked hard to improve the squad's fitness levels and the introduction of the pre-dawn training sessions has proved hugely beneficial.
However, it has not been without its critics with some suggesting that there are too many demands on the players, but Gilroy insist they are happy to do it.
"If we weren’t having organised sessions — and I can only speak for our own group — the lads would be doing something themselves," said Gilroy.
"One of the hardest things to enforce is them not doing something if they have some down-time. These fellas are mad keen to be out and doing training and building their fitness.
"They enjoy it, but if you look at it...the harsh facts are that only three players in total have children.
"The day of a guy playing into his 30s with a small, young family is getting fewer and fewer because there are other pressures.
"But when guys are single, if they’re training morning, noon and night, they’re delighted and happy going out to it."
Gilroy believes the early morning sessions is particularly beneficial to the players who are in college as it leaves them time to study.
"We only do it around exam time and they really like to be up, particularly the students, to get their study in for the day," Gilroy is quoted as saying in the Irish Examiner.
"If we were doing five evenings a week they’d lose the evening and would get no work done, whereas in the early mornings they’re in college by 8am and they’re able to study.
"So there’s a lifestyle thing that works for us. We’re finished with those sessions now.
"It’s a very short burst of them just to make up for the time of the down season, and we’ll possibly do them again when guys are doing exams around May, again, to free up their time. We try to be as respectful of their lives as we can."