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Dessie Farrell: We'll never see the likes of Dublin veterans again

James McCarthy (L), Stephen Cluxton (C) and Michael Fitzsimons are the first players to win nine All-Ireland SFC medals
James McCarthy (L), Stephen Cluxton (C) and Michael Fitzsimons are the first players to win nine All-Ireland SFC medals

Dessie Farrell paid tribute to his players after they showed "character in abundance" to fight back and beat Kerry for a seventh All-Ireland title in nine seasons.

The Dubs trailed by three points in the 51st minute but outscored the holders 5-2 down the stretch to win the final 1-15 to 1-13 at Croke Park.

"It's amazing. It's immense," their manager told RTÉ Sport.

"I've learned so much about character and what that actually means. A lot of people talk about it but we saw it in abundance today.

"I'm delighted for the players and their families, their partners, their wives. Huge commitment, huge sacrifice and they showed great character today.

"It was all about guts and character and they stood up to the test when it counted. They're that type of men, they'll always respond."

Dublin had exited at the semi-final stage for the last two seasons in the absence of Stephen Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion, but all three returned to the panel this year and helped the county regain the Sam Maguire for the first time since the six-in-a-row season of 2020.

Captain James McCarthy and Mick Fitzsimons joined Cluxton in winning a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland medal while Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello and Dean Rock, who came off the bench to score the insurance point, now have eight each.


"They're a special crew," said Farrell, who won his second senior title as manager.

"We knew that from day one, of course, but to come back this year again and do what they did, some of those senior guys, we'll never see the likes of them again.

"The young lads that came in over the last two years have brought great energy and competition, which is what you want."

Was it hard to persuade the absent trio to return?

"It wasn't difficult. They love playing football. They love Dublin.

"It was just once they were ready and they were this season, thankfully.

"It was a huge amount of experience on a day like this and it definitely added something significant to our overall game plan.

"It probably couldn't have gone much better than we had scripted. We knew the bench was going to be important and to get some of those senior guys in at the end was really important."

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