Sitting in the GAA Museum's auditorium on Wednesday morning, football was not the subject dominating the thoughts of Ciaran Kilkenny. He was thinking about a fisherman from the Blasket Islands who died nearly 80 years ago.
Kilkenny has a lot on his plate right now. It's two weeks until Dublin open their Leinster Championship campaign with a trip to Nowlan Park to play Laois. That's a rare Championship expedition for the Dublin footballers and one the 22-year-old is very much looking forward to.
Before that excursion for Dublin fans and players - their first Championship game outside of Croke Park since 2006 - Kilkenny has exams occupy his mind. The half-forward is in his final year studying Irish and history at St. Pat's in Drumcondra.
The exams are tough going, it's my final year. Get them out of the way.
I don't know if you know 'An tOileánach', a book by Tomás Ó Criomhthain and then you've got 'Mo bhealach féin' by Seosamh Mac Grianna and a bit of 'An Ruraiocht'. Would you know much about the Ruraiocht? I'll regurgitate it all out there as bit of practice.
I'm trying to get that out of the way and then I've got European history on Thursday.
I'm dying to get it over and done with. It'll be such a relief. It'll be like a big load of bricks off my back and then I'll be able to go out enjoy my football and train with the lads.
At the moment, Kilkenny feels in great condition. His form is such that he was named Opel Player of the Month for April as Dublin won Division One of the National League for the fourth consecutive year.
Five months back, he was not at peak fitness. That's not unexpected for a player looking to crest come August and September. Still, when Kilkenny stepped on to the pitch for Sigerson Cup with St. Pat's in January, he admits carrying considerably more weight than he does right now.
That was not without reason. After the All-Ireland final victory against Kerry last September, and a couple of games with Castleknock, he took a break.
When I went back playing with the college, I was here five months ago and I was sitting here a stone and a half heavier than I am now and I went out playing with the college because I hadn't played in two or three months
Return to inter-county training and the excess pounds drop off. That does not prevent his Dublin teammates making him aware of his appearance.
I've got this body or physique when I get into the off season and I have a bit of food the belly comes straight away. I enjoy the offseason but I'm lucky I've the type of body where I can lose it straight away.
The lads would be slagging me when I come back, I'd be alot heavier than everyone else. I'm at my peak fitness now and probably need to lose a little bit more.
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
