“I was wondering did he want me to do water or whatever” – Doyle back with Kildare juniors

In 22 years of adult football, Johnny Doyle never once missed a championship game.

"I'd love to tell you that's because I mind the body and eat all the right stuff," he said with typical modesty on The GAA Hour Show recently. "No it's a bit of a freak!. At times it was a bit of mind over matter, you'd go out in a championship match - look it you'll strap yourself up and get on with it. I think adrenaline is a huge thing, you're in the zone...I didn't have any really serious injuries that would have stopped me but there would have been times when the leg was a bit dead, little strains or the groin was a bit tight, I just tried to get on with it..."

It would take more than a dead leg to stop Johnny Doyle. 41 years of age now, the Allenwood man is still playing intermediate football for his club. It was only last month when he kicked 0-7 for them, 0-3 from open play in a championship victory over Kill. Club chairman Joe Jacob told us that Doyle has been their best player in almost every one of those games he's played. https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/well-never-see-likes-club-kildare-lilys-miracle-man-still-going-strong-41-200337 He'll be some addition to the Kildare juniors. They take on Longford in the Leinster junior semi-final in St Conleth's Park on Wednesday evening and Doyle confirmed the rumours that he'll be togging.

"I got a phone-call a few weeks back, I was wondering did he want me to do water or whatever," he said to Colm Parkinson. "Anyway, I was humming and hawing and then I thought I'll be standing and looking over the railing giving out - well I do an awful lot of giving out anyway," he laughs. "I said sure if you think I've something to offer - we've a bit of a kick around later on, listen I mightn't even be on the panel, I don't know sure I'll go in and have a look anyway! Sure I would be going to the game anyway..."

One of the greatest. You can listen to the Doyle discussion and much more from Monday's GAA Hour Show here. https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/tipperary-on-fire-clare-woeful-waterford-worse