Declan Rooney is a busy man. He works in Galway for medical supplies company Boston Scientific, he is determined to finish his Masters degree in science before the end of the year, and he plays football and hurling for University College Galway and Laois. He makes little of his commitments but admits that his social life is somewhat limited. "Between UCG and Laois I suppose that I am committed to either football or hurling for at least five days a week, including a match or two, but I enjoy it and I'm glad to be back in action after a broken ankle.

"It happened in a challenge match against Wexford seven weeks ago but it has healed quickly. I have been back in full training for only a short time and I now find that I will be playing my first football championship match against Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday. That is a big challenge but I have no problems with it.

"I play at centre forward for the hurling team but centre half-back is my favourite position in football. I played in those two positions in the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups for UCG this year when we were beaten in both quarter-finals.

"We know we are up against it on Sunday against Kildare. They have a very strong, experienced team and they have been threatening for some time to get a really big score. If they get into the right mood they could be very dangerous.

"We will have to stop them breaking through the middle and I suppose I am in the hot seat as far as that is concerned. They seem to rely mostly on their full forwards to get their scores so it will be up to our midfield and half-backs to limit their opportunities very strictly."

Rooney has great confidence in the Laois midfield. "Tony Maher is one of our most experienced players and has a massive influence on the way we play. Noel Garvan has come through the under-21 system and they form a great partnership. They are both tall men and I believe that we can win a lot of possession there. If we do I believe that we can win."

Rooney rates Karl O'Dwyer, the Kildare full forward, as their most dangerous player. He says the clash between O'Dwyer and the experienced Eamon Delaney could be crucial.

There seems to be a new spring in the step of Laois football and the confidence exuded by players such as Rooney will mean that, although Kildare will be favourites, they may have a much tougher match before them than many realise.