Amateur footballers do all sorts of jobs during summer months to keep away from work. The teachers are professionals in all but bank balance, some students try to become yoga masters while others work in environments like Dublin City University.

“DCU is massive,” said Dublin corner-back Johnny Cooper. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without DCU I don’t think; academically, professionally, as a person, sporting. There is a lot of resources, a lot of structure in that environment.

“You come into contact with other intercounty players . . . I think it has been very important to my own development.”

Jim Gavin’s defence and midfield should change significantly from the line-up that destroyed Longford come Sunday’s Leinster semi-final against Kildare but Cooper will be there. A constant presence since winter months.

“Yeah, really loved it this year. Got a lot of games. Some lads take the January to get themselves in better physical condition. I asked Jim for some games so he gave me game time during the O’Byrne Cup and pre-season competition.”

All return

Hamstrings healed, Rory O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan and

Michael Darragh Macauley

should all return on Sunday. A place might even be found for Alan Brogan or Cormac Costello.

There were plenty of unfamiliar faces the last day. David Byrne at full back, John Small at centre back and Brian Fenton in midfield don't yet roll off the tongue.

“I always want to be starting but I don’t think I had too much argument,” said Macauley, the 2013 footballer of the year. “The two lads have been playing super and deserve their spots in midfield so it’s going to be a battle to get my place back.”

The “two lads” are Fenton and the squad’s oldest soldier, Denis Bastick. Fenton and Macauley has a nice ring to the centre field.

“Brian is a super player. He’s come up through the underage ranks and has earned his start with Dublin. Very talented off two feet and gets around the field. Brilliant asset for us going forward.

“Jim has shown he plays players by form. And that the lads aren’t picked on reputation. That’s all you really want from a manager – that if you’re playing well, you’re going to get the jersey. So look, I’m going to be getting opportunities now. We’ve played a few friendlies. We’ve played matches amongst ourselves.

“I’m going to get a chance to show if I’m worth a spot. It’s up to me as to whether I take those chances.”

Cooper is different in that he’s one of those players manager Gavin brought with him through the underage ranks.

“I wasn’t good enough when I wasn’t there,” he explained. “That’s quite clear for me. I had a lot of things to work on, as I do now. But I had Jim at underage for two or three years before he came into the senior set-up so in a way I was used to his operation and the way he worked. It’s all earned, when and if it’s earned.”

Last time Kildare and Dublin met in championship was two years ago. It ended 4-16 to 1-9, the heaviest championship defeat for the Lilywhites since 1897.

Becomes routine

“Honestly the Dublin team just prepares the same way for every game,” said Macauley.

“We have to. The day we stop doing that we are going to get caught on the hop. First round of Leinster or All-Ireland final we do the same; eat the same food, wear the same gear. Same everything so it just becomes routine.

“You just go as hard as you can for your entire career. You really don’t start adding up things until you are finished.”