Greg McCartan (Down)

Extent of championship preparations? "We had nine weeks of pure championship preparation, training three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - with a game most Sundays, for challenges or pitch openings. For training, I'd get home from work - I'm in the construction business - about 5.30 p.m., and be gone to training by 6.30 and not back until after 10.30. I have two young boys and my wife Sinead is obviously very understanding. But other people work late or whatever. It's just a part of the life of an inter-county footballer."

Would you change championship structures? "No last week, maybe yes this week . . . honestly, though, maybe something could be done, but I think 10 games (as in FDC proposals) would be too much. There's something special about a championship Sunday, it's a big family day out, and I wouldn't like to see that watered down."

What now for the rest of the summer? "Life goes on, you know. Funnily enough my club Castlewellan are out of the championship since the first week of May. So there's nothing really to get my teeth into, but there will be county leagues and the Kilmacud Sevens. I'll not be going to championship games. Some lads are different, but once I'm out of it that's it - if there was a match in the front garden I wouldn't go out to see it."

Padraig Davis (Longford)

Extent of championship preparations? "Since January we had 64 sessions, with a near full attendance at them all. I'm single and I work for myself, so it's not a big problem for me."

Would you change championship structures? "I think the round-robin system is the way forward. It could be the stepping stone to what is going to happen. I had no problems with the FDC proposals either, but I can see why the clubs were worried. With three matches this year, we had a fair crack of the whip and can have no complaints - Wexford deservedly went through. But a round-robin system for all with a minimum of three matches is the way forward. It's not only the weaker counties that deserve more than one game - why should genuine contenders like Offaly and Meath go out after only one game either?"

What now for the rest of the summer? "Well, obviously I'll be back with Fr Manning Gaels for the club championship - it's like starting fresh all over again. We're out on July 9th. I'll still take a big interest in the championship as well - we're near enough Clones here, it's only 40 minutes drive to Hyde Park, and I'll take a few trips to Croke Park as well. With the television coverage, there might be an odd Sunday spent watching games in the pub too."

Stephen Frampton (Waterford)

Extent of championship preparations? "A lot of the lads began in December and everybody was there since January, but we did three and four sessions a week since then. It's a huge commitment - I have two young kids and it might sound funny, but my wife Anne-Marie is almost glad we were knocked out. And it's not that she's from Clare, it's just very hard on them."

Would you change championship structures? "There's been a lot of talk in Waterford this last week that it's unfair and what have you, but I'd be loathe to change it. The championship is very special. I do think they should maybe rethink letting the beaten provincial finalists into the All-Ireland quarter-finals. It would be a better idea to let back beaten first-round teams from all the provinces and play them off for places in the quarter-finals."

What now for the rest of the summer? "Well, I'm lucky in that I play with a very successful club. Ballygunner won five county titles in the 1990s. We've a quarter-final in four weeks time. But it's hard for fellows with junior clubs or less successful senior clubs. I'll keep an eye on the championship all right, but mostly on the television. I wouldn't go to matches - I've enough travelling done for the year. Of course, I might use some of the summer to get my golf handicap down."