Dublin captain and talisman James McCarthy admitted victory over Kerry could be the best moment of an extraordinary career as he became an All-Ireland SFC winner for a ninth time.
The Dubs, by their own recent standards struggled in the last two years, failing to reach the final after a six-in-a-row domination of the competition prior to it.
Several veteran players returned this year, along with the establishment of some younger guns, and it was enough to dethrone Kerry by two points.
McCarthy, who hinted that it might be his last season in blue, said there was no getting away from the feeling it was his greatest day.
"It probably is, I'm not going to lie," he told RTÉ Sport. "We had to fight hard for that. We had a tough two years and it was only on the players, nothing to do with management.
"We were disappointed with how we handled ourselves the last two years. We were very disappointed how how we lost two semi-finals.
"There was something different in the air this year. We got together, we worked hard and we went for it. We went for every game and that was the most important thing. When it came to the crunch players stood up today. Cian Murphy who came on today won a few huge kickouts. We needed everyone to get us over the line. That was special."
Winning again with the likes of the returning Stephen Cluxton, Paul Mannion, Jack McCaffrey made it all the more sweet.
"There's an undying loyalty amongst everyone. We played so hard together for so many years. You'll never have that (again). People don't understand how special that it is. The lads did their thing for a year or two but a few chats earlier on the year and they had the bit between their teeth again. They came back and it all came together again.
"It wasn't pretty today. There was a lot of spilled ball but we tackled hard and put our bodies on the line. We were just working for each other in a team play, doubling up on guys, throwing your body on the ground. It was a bit of bravery and courage got us over the line.
"It's a huge honour (to play and win with Dublin). Maybe it's my last time. I'm not sure, I need to reflect over the next couple of months, but if it is, it was truly special. This place is special. Croke Park is an amazing place to play sport."
Fellow nine-time winner Michael Fitzsimons added: "James McCarthy, how can you not love the guy? He is such a warrior, leading us into battle each day. It's easy to come back year on year with him.
"People want to be part of the group and it just means a lot to us and to our families.
"They were buzzing coming out of the Mayo game [quarter-final] because they hadn't seen it since us on a run in 2020 and didn't see it [because of Covid-19].
"Dessie never put it on us (when things weren't going as well). He has been phenomenal."
