Dublin selector, Mick Galvin, has explained how a number of Dublin's older players were convinced to return to the panel this year.
Dublin beat Kerry in the All-Ireland final last weekend, and this victory was aided by several members of the old guard who had previously secured Sam Maguire trophies.
The return of Stephen Cluxton, Paul Mannion, Jack McCaffrey, and former Dublin boss Pat Gilroy to the Dublin panel this year came at just the right time for Dessie Farell's side.
Rumours have circulated that Farell had a hand in the quartet's return, but according to Galvin, it was actually team-captain, James McCarthy, who orchestrated it.
“I'd say it probably might have been James McCarthy's wedding in December in Luttrelstown,” Galvin told GAA.ie.
“All the old lads were there, everybody. There was a sprinkling of the old and the new, and I think that was the night that probably that whole plan came in place.
“I'd say there was a bit of emotion at the wedding, it certainly was fertile ground. There was nothing definitive, but you could see the conversations and the reconnection with the likes of Stephen being back around the group. I think it probably just grew from there.
“You could sense it, and you could feel it. There was a special atmosphere around the whole day and night. You'd look over and see these guys in the company again, and you could just sense something.”
.@DubGAAOfficial selector, Mick Galvin, knew that plenty of people doubted Dessie Farrell and his management team before last Sunday's All-Ireland win, but he never had any doubts himself in what they were doing. #GAABelong
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 3, 2023
Galvin also admitted that he is unsure whether nine-time All-Ireland winners Stephen Cluxton, Michael Fitzsimons, and James McCarthy will continue next year. The trio has 27 All-Ireland medals between them, and it would be understandable if they decided to step away from the panel.
"I don't know. I have no idea. For someone like James, you just don't know. The man could keep playing. He is a phenomenal athlete. I suspect it is never going to get any better than that Sunday," added Galvin
“Nine All-Irelands. Mention the word 10 to some of them. I'm not sure how that rocks their boat, but yesterday seemed like the culmination of them climbing back up to the top of the mountain.
“Getting up there felt really good, so I'm not sure if there is more in any of the group."
