Manager: Peter McGrath (11 years).

Selectors: John Murphy, JP O'Kane.

Backroom staff: Physio - Paul McCormack; Masseur - Arty Quinn; Medical - Dr Martin Walsh (involved in every Down team to win an All-Ireland; 1960, '61, 68, '91, '94), Margaret King.

Sessions per week (since Jan 1st) - Two per week up until April, three a week since - 42 in total. Held in Newry and Rostrevor. As in every year of his 11-year stint, for stamina work, McGrath used the mountain at Rostrevor. Posttraining meals at the Canal Court (Newry) and St Bronagh's social club (Rostrevor).

Match-day ritual: Players and mentors meet at the Canal Court in Newry, have light snack and travel to the game together by bus. Team talks, before match and at half-time, are given by McGrath, while the captain (Paul Higgins, pictured) also contributes.

Hurling: Munster - Limerick v Cork; Leinster replay - Dublin v Laois (Monday). Football: Leinster - Meath v Offaly, Westmeath v Laois (Monday); Ulster - Tyrone v Armagh. Connacht - London v Roscommon.