Intensity in training is up there with highest ever: Cian O’Sullivan

Dublin defender Cian O’Sullivan is preparing himself for the unique challenges Mayo will present his side in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final in Croke Park (3.30).

"Obviously Mayo are going to set themselves up a lot differently than Tyrone did so that in itself is going to bring challenges in terms of how you are going to respond to how the opposition are going to set up.

"From our own perspective how we play football in general terms that will stay the same," says the Kilmacud Crokes clubman.

While the Dubs have travelled the direct line with Leinster SFC victories over Carlow, Westmeath and Kildare before overcoming Ulster duo Monaghan and Tyrone in the All-Ireland Series the Connacht men have the advantage of extra games via the qualifier route.

Stephen Rochford’s men lost to Galway in Connacht before embarking on a dramatic run with victories over Derry, Clare and Cork and then Roscommon and Kerry in the All-Ireland Series.

Their (Mayo’s) resilience has probably been tested more than ours. It’s a great advantage coming through games where you have been tested," adds Cian.

"But we have come through games like that in previous years and we will be able to draw on that experience against Mayo.

"For us getting the performance is the key thing not getting the result. I think we performed well against Tyrone, we performed well against Monaghan.

"The competition for places and the intensity in our training games is up there with the highest it’s ever been. We are happy with where we are at."