According to Kerry's Jack O'Connor, Dublin are making an all-out effort to reclaim the Sam Maguire Cup this year ahead of the All-Ireland Senior Football Final on Sunday.
The Dubs' have welcomed back star players Stephen Cluxton, Paul Mannion, and Jack McCaffrey, along with the addition of the influential 2011 All-Ireland winning manager, Pat Gilroy, to their backroom staff.
All four individuals have played a crucial role in Dublin's journey to this year's All-Ireland final, their first appearance since 2020.
Kerry beat Dublin in last year's All-Ireland showdown and the sides will do battle once more on Sunday in Croke Park. Kerry can retain their All-Ireland crown with a win on Sunday and for O'Connor, he can also become first Kerry manager since Mick O'Dwyer to win back to back All-Irelands.
Dublin on the other hand can win their first Sam Maguire crown since 2020 and throughout the Championship have improved with every game that has passed.
For O'Connor, he admits he isn't surprised by Dublin's return to the All-Ireland final, as it shows their determination to win another All-Ireland title.
Kerry manager Jack O'Connor . (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)“Well, whatever about being surprised they came back, it was a signal of intent," said the veteran Kerry boss
O'Connor highlighted that players like Cluxton and his teammates aren't coming back for mere enjoyment. He also referenced the inclusion of Pat Gilroy, a respected figure in Dublin football circles, the architect of the 2011 All-Ireland win and his influence.
"I think I said (recently) that these boys weren’t coming back for the craic," he added. "These boys were coming back to win an All-Ireland. "Obviously those boys still have the hunger and still have the talent. Gilroy is a very respected man in Dublin football circles, and he was the fella who masterminded the breakthrough in ’11 so that tells you they were going to leave no stone unturned on and off the field to get this right.
"The likes of Cluxton and those fellas don’t come back after winning eight All-Irelands just to go through motions and say, ‘arra we’ll have another go, we’ll tip away from another year’.
O'Connor also acknowledged that Dublin's efforts were akin throwing the kitchen sink at the challenge.
"Someone threw a stat at me that the lads who were missing last year had a combined total of 24 All-Ireland between them, that’s fair experience to be bringing back into the dressing room, isn’t it, and God only knows how many All Stars. "So it would appear from the outside that Dublin are throwing the kitchen sink at this."
The game between Kerry v Dublin will kick-off at 3.30pm on Sunday.
