Dublin boss confirms return of 43-year-old legend for 2025

"Of course, the door is always open if there’s any change of hearts or change of minds."

An impressive 0-7 from play from Seán Bugler and 1-2 from Kevin Lahiff helped guide the Sky Blues to victory, while 0-4 from Fergal Boland and a goal courtesy of Conor Reid stood out for the Connacht side.

It was a Dublin side that looked wildly different on paper to the ones fans have been used to during their golden years over the last decade - while the likes of James McCarthy and Brian Fenton recently announced their inter-county retirements - and after the game manager Dessie Farrell confirmed that two more Dublin greats will not be returning in 2025.

On the situation of Jack McCaffery and Paul Mannion, Farrell said: “Jack and Paul, the conversations with those, these lads aren’t ones for releasing retirement statements or whatever, but I’d say it’s unlikely that the two lads will be involved with us this year.

"Of course, the door is always open if there’s any change of hearts or change of minds, but the way discussions have gone, it’s probably unlikely.

“I’m just being open and transparent about that. They know they’re more than welcome. Jack is very busy obviously in his profession, he’s not working in Dublin this year, and Paul has significant commitments - work and family and that type of thing as well.

“It’s unlikely, but we never close the door, and possibly, they don’t want to either so we’ll see how it goes."

However, there was good news regarding the status of 43-year-old goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.

Farrell added: "Stephen has been back with us, he’s had a small little clean out of the knee. He’s working his way back from that, but he’s been involved from the start,” added Farrell.

“We’re looking forward to having him back in the next couple of weeks, to full participation in training, we hope.”

On the Small brothers, Farrell added: “Paddy is in, we are hoping to have John back, yeah.”