Denis Glennon worked until 7am on the morning of Westmeath's O'Byrne Cup clash with Meath.

The 30-year-old Lake County attacker is based in Edenderry as a Garda and his plight yet again highlights the demands being placed on amateur sportsmen.

While some might criticise the midlanders for falling to a 15th successive competitive defeat at the hands of their neighbours on Sunday, it is worth remembering the incredible sacrifices made by many intercounty footballers and hurlers:

"Before the Meath match, I was working until seven in the morning. I had about three hours' sleep that day," the Tyrrellspass clubman told The Irish Daily Star.

"I was gone off after 20 minutes with an injury, whether that was a lack of sleep or just unfortunate, but these are commitments we have to do now to compete, because it is so competitive.

"I'd be on night shifts a lot and it's an awful disadvantage for me."

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