Kilmacud Crokes wing back Ross McGowan says inter-county players should be allowed to enjoy themselves over the Christmas period rather than playing in pre-season competitions.

McGowan, who was part of what was effectively a third-string Dublin team that won the O'Byrne Cup in 2017, claims their is little appetite among players for inter-county games at this time of the year.

'I wouldn't be a huge fan of that. Players need their time to rest. It's a long season," he told FM104 ahead of Sunday's Leinster club SFC final between Kilmacud Crokes and Mullinalaghta.

"Just take for the likes of Paul (Mannion) and Cian (O'Sullivan). I know they probably wouldn't be involved in the O'Byrne Cup.

"But they've had a long season with the Dubs, they've a final on Sunday. Then the'll be starting preparations for the National League, so they need time to recover."

The 2012 All-Ireland MFC winner added: "At the end of the day, GAA is an amateur sport, and people need their time off."

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