And that's a wrap. The 2023 season is done and the Dubs are back on top, as some of us predicted from the start.
I think everyone was struck by the scenes at the final whistle last Sunday and the intensity of the celebrations from the Dublin players, most of whom had bundles of All-Ireland medals already.
After the finals we lost to Dublin, I never detected that level of emotion in them. Joy, certainly. Even an attitude of 'Yeah! We beat them, f*** them.'
But not that level of wistful emotion.
It was striking how they talked about Dessie Farrell and how much it mattered to deliver an All-Ireland for him. Personally, I found the stuff about the 'flak' he had supposedly received pretty overstated. If he did get severe criticism, then it went over my head anyway.
That being said, Dessie is due a bit of credit. He's won two All-Irelands in four years and lost two All-Ireland semi-finals where there was only a kick of a ball in it. It's not a bad CV to depart with, if it turns out to be his last year.
The game itself probably didn't live up its lofty billing, though the weather wouldn't have helped. The first half in particular was very aggressive and intense, with defences suffocating attacks. Both teams were a bit cagey, unwilling to make a mistake.
With the Kerry goal arriving on the stroke of half-time, the second half was a bit more open and end-to-end. The Paddy Small goal was obviously a huge turning point. At that moment, Kerry had run three points in front and appeared to be in control of the contest.
They reacted well, going three points up again, but the effort expended in doing that may have impacted them down the line.
Dublin's big players came to the fore in the endgame. Jack McCaffrey was immense when he came on, having a direct impact in three scores. Paul Mannion kicked five points, including a few crucial ones, and took home the Man of the Match prize. Cluxton was fantastic again, flawless in his distribution and even his long-range frees. Brian Fenton solidified his greatness, delivering another powerhouse performance on the big day.
And a player belonging to a different category, Colm Basquel, a bit-part figure in recent years, had an amazing second half, kicking two points and playing an instrumental part in the goal.
Weighing it all up, it was a deserved victory and Fenton said afterwards that it was the sweetest victory of the lot. As we had speculated it would be all season.
Listening to the various post-match interviews, it was clear the two semi-final losses in the past couple of season really hurt them. Combined with the need to protect their manager's honour, they were highly energised.
For a team associated with a near-robotic, process-driven mindset, it was a reminder that sometimes it helps to have a little extra desire and motivation in the tank.
Though I did have to laugh at some of the talk about this hard two years they've had. For enduring that two-year famine, they have all our sympathy.
Now the Dubs have reclaimed Sam, there's the question of where the balance of power lies in Gaelic football in 2023.
I'd concur with the general consensus that the 2023 All-Ireland win doesn't mark a return to their relentless domination of the 2010s. But I wouldn't run with the narrative that this marks 'the end' for this generation of Dublin football and that they're going to enter into some grim transitional phase. There's been loose talk of wholesale retirements but we'll wait and see on that.
Sure, Cluxton hits 42 next December, he may step away [again]. He probably won't be telling us one way or another!
As might Dean Rock, Mick Fitzsimons and James McCarthy.
Outside that, the core group of the team all turn 31 next year, which is certainly young enough. McCaffrey, Mannion, Fenton and Ciarán Kilkenny could certainly stick around - none of them showed any signs of flagging last Sunday.
That's not to say they'd necessarily win the All-Ireland. In fact, it's probable that even one or two key retirements - of Cluxton, McCarthy et al - would weaken them enough whereby Kerry would be able to take them. And the Kerry lads will have ample motivation now heading into the 2024 season.
But Dublin would still be able to beat 90% of teams out there and I suspect would still be there or thereabouts next year. We're not quite shot of them yet, in my view.
As for the pack gathering behind... Derry and Galway are the other two teams who are jockeying hard for position - the latter will be sickened with how their season unravelled in the space of eight days, with bad luck and injury playing a significant part. They're probably ranked third and fourth, albeit not necessarily in that order.
Mayo, to my mind, have work to do. While they've talented forwards, they're not racking up enough scores in big games.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, a long way away from this remove, there are a few tweaks that could improve things.
The group stage - or the Super 16s as it's been called - is here to stay. While the thrilling last day of the group stage was taken as a vindication of the format, I still think we need to remove the preliminary quarter-final component - we've probably said enough about it.
More relevant to recent weeks is the rushed nature of the season. Having the All-Ireland hurling final and football final separated by one week doesn't give either enough time to breathe. It squashes it too much and the feels like it's damaged the occasion as a result. All-Ireland final weekend hasn't quite had the same festival feel as in recent years.
As for the attacking mark - bury it, finish it, and hopefully forget it ever existed.
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