Jim Gavin says it would be a bonus for Dublin to make the semi-finals of this year's national football league.

Having gleaned six points from their opening five games, the holders remain in a strong position to claim a semi-final berth but their manager says it won't be a disaster if they fail to make it:

"We planned our schedule on seven games in the league and anything outside of that is a bonus," he says in The Irish Independent.

"If we don't get through, we'll have other games either externally or internally. There will be plenty of chances for players to get good competitive game-time.

"We have eleven weeks to go until the championship, so it's a case of getting everyone fit and make sure the players are healthy.

"That's been the case with players such as Paul Flynn and Rory O'Carroll. James McCarthy had a stomach upset. So rather than risk his health, we just pushed him away and let him rest."

Gavin also hinted that he may call upon U21 players such as Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Cormac Costello for tomorrow night's Division One clash with Mayo - even though Dessie Farrell's charges are in Leinster final action against Meath next Wednesday:

"We just need to assess it over the next 24 hours," he adds. "Several guys picked up knocks last weekend. We just have to see where we're at in terms of numbers.

"The U21 game is on Wednesday. We're on Saturday. So there is probably plenty of time for recovery if they are required." Tweet

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