Former Kerry star Declan O'Sullivan doesn't subscribe to the theory that gaelic football is only a young man's game nowadays.

The increasing demands being asked of the modern gaelic footballer and hurler had made life difficult when it comes to juggling commitments outside of the sport but O'Sullivan argues that where there's a will there's a way and experienced players still have big contributions to make.

"In Kerry, we've always got the balance right in terms of training," the five-time All-Ireland winner remarked as a guest on the Saturday panel on Off the Ball.

"You hear some horror stories, and typically, it's the weaker teams that you hear all these stories from, training five or six times a week and all this sort of stuff. But, I think it's like anything in life, you have to keep a bit of balance.

"But, to be honest, I think the way the football is going as well, there is room for the experienced guys. We were playing 100% flat out whereas it's very much team orientated now with zonal defending, the blanket defence - there really is a spot there for an experienced guy to pull the strings and keep the ball moving.

"People say that fitness is gone out of control in many ways but the game itself has become slowed down in many ways because of this and has put the onus on defending. 

"Going over and back, lateral passing - you need that experienced guy who is going to remain cool and see a pass and that type of stuff. 

"You often see players stepping away too early from inter-county football because there is this perception out there that it's a young man's game. I think Dublin and even Kerry - you see Kieran Donaghy staying on and he's reaping the rewards of it because he's using his head as much as anything else so I think there's a role for that."

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