'My parents were on Up For The Match and I didn't know because I would have gone mad!'

Plenty All-Ireland final practice for Cian O’Sullivan but the occasional curve ball has been thrown at him.

A FIFTH ALL-Ireland final day in seven years for Cian O’Sullivan and at this stage the Dublin defender is accustomed to handling the build-up to the biggest occasion on the Gaelic football calendar.

Occasionally a curveball can be thrown at him before match day.

Like the night before the 2015 September showdown with Kerry.

“I remember my parents were on Up For The Match and I didn’t know that because I would have gone mad!

“Danielle (his girlfriend) had control of the remote control and she was very keen to make sure we didn’t go past RTE 2 when we were flicking through the channels.

“They had them up (on RTÉ) because we were playing Kerry in the final and they’re both from Kerry. They had them over at the parents (house) and everything in the weeks leading up, there was real espionage going on!

“They wanted to make sure I wouldn’t walk in through the door when there was an RTE film crew there. You talk about distractions, that would have been one!

“They kept it under wraps until afterwards, so it was fine.”

Cian O'Sullivan celebrates with the Sam Maguire trophy Cian O'Sullivan celebrates Dublin's 2015 victory. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

With four Sam Maguire triumphs behind him, O’Sullivan aims to utilise that experience to get him right for the 2017 instalment.

“A positive of being through that routine over the last number of years is that you know the pitfalls coming into an All-Ireland final. Little things like tickets can really mess with your head and organising stuff like the banquet afterwards.

“There’s loads of admin stuff that you have to just get out of the way as soon as you can. I think the key thing in this three-week block is managing the distractions.

“The day before the final, (I) probably go for a swim at some stage down in Seapoint. Generally I’d do that before most games at the 40-foot. Then just head up home.

“My mother cooks a lovely big meal and sit down with my girlfriend Danielle then and just watch a movie or something like that before the game.”

Cian O’Sullivan arrives Cian O'Sullivan arriving at Croke Park before last year's All-Ireland final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The Kilmacud Crokes man has made a deliberate effort to appreciate having a front-row seat.

“I’m playing with Dublin for eight or nine years now and it’s something I’m very conscious of trying to do the last number of years.

“My first memory is of the drive from the team hotel to Croke Park obviously through the crowds and stuff and people are banging on the bus and cheering it as it drives by. Previously I would have kept the head down and the earphones in and just not get distracted by the people outside.

“But now I’ve found myself looking out and trying to take it in and enjoy it because i know how special a place it is to be as well.

“I’m really trying to savour those moments. My routine the night before and the morning of the game is pretty consistent. Probably just a bit more chilled out going into these games I guess.”

Cian O'Sullivan and Aidan O'Shea battling for possession. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Despite having four All-Ireland senior medals in his back pocket, the desire to keep triumphing hasn’t waned for the 29-year-old.

His appetite hasn’t diminished ahead of taking on Mayo on Sunday.

“How could it when you’re going out to play in an All-Ireland final? As soon as you picked up a ball that’s what you dreamed of doing.

“Back then I probably wouldn’t have expected to be doing what I’m doing now in two weeks’ time.

“It’s such a massive honour to be in this position and playing on this team and to be sharing these moments with some of the guys on this team, definitely the appetite is still as strong as it always was.”