Dublin's 2023 All-Ireland victory was perceived in some quarters as a last heist for the 2010s generation, after which there would be a general exodus.
In the event, only Dean Rock retired for good, though significantly, corner-back Davy Byrne opted to take a year out to go travelling.
Rock's retirement announcement was released last month, after 11 championship seasons which yielded eight All-Ireland medals.
He wasn't set on retirement from the beginning of the year, rather it was a feeling that developed over the course of the summer.
"I don't think (I was) throughout the whole season. Obviously in the beginning, you’re not even thinking about that," Rock told RTÉ Sport.
"When it comes to the knockout stages of the competition, that’s when you’re starting to think, 'Jeez, this could be my last time going on a training camp to Carton House, or it could be my last time going to training on a Friday evening.’ Whatever the case may be.
"I think I was coming to terms with it, I did kind of realise throughout the summer that it would be my last year. I obviously just enjoyed that time for what it was and made the most of it.
"Thankfully, we got over the line and there were huge celebrations after that."
After a flat 2022 season, Rock's influence was confined to cameo roles in 2023, though he did manage to force home the only goal of the semi-final at the death against Monaghan and did tap over the final point of the summer against Kerry.
Recovering the All-Ireland crown was seen as especially important for the older lads coming to the end - the story of how they resolved to get the 2010s crew back at James McCarthy's wedding is well worn - but Rock stresses it was more important for the younger lads on the panel. With one All-Ireland under their belt, the likes of Lee Gannon et al may be hungry for more.
"I think it was really important for the group to show the ability to bounce back and come back to win an All-Ireland after two years of not winning," says Rock.
"We had incredible success in terms of winning the six-in-a-row and then just to come back after the two defeats, and maybe the narrative was out there that we weren't maybe as good as we once were, or that we weren't going to win the All-Ireland, I think that all drove the lads.
"There probably was more emotion after last year, than the previous years. Lads were very driven to come back and win another All-Ireland. There's a lot of younger guys there as well, so the older group probably took it upon themselves to make sure they got a taste of it. I think it's very important they got to experience that while we're still there.
"Now they know what it takes to get over the line. Once you get to experience that once in your career, you want that again and again. That's why it's probably more important for the future generation of Dublin footballers."
Rock says he was slightly surprised more of his comrades didn't join him in retirement but insists it was definitely the right time for him.
"I suppose naturally enough the age profile of the team is old enough. Obviously the guys felt that they were able to go again and give everything they had to the cause. For me, personally, it just wasn't right.
"The time commitment with Dublin and inter-county football in general is just massive. You’re probably arriving at training at five o’clock in the evening and getting home at ten. Doing that four or five times a week, pushing your weekends away…it just wasn’t something that I could do with a young family at home and different work commitments as well.
"The body is fine physically, not a problem there in that regard but if your mind is kind of telling you not to do it, sometimes you have to listen. You know when you know, and good instinct told me just to step away now. It’s a good time to go for me personally."
Stephen Cluxton, who returned out of the blue to win his ninth, hasn't announced his retirement - though nor would he in any case. We have to assume he'll be around for another year or 10. Rock attests to his influence in the group but says the Dubs are well stocked should he step away.
"Stephen [Cluxton], we'll probably get another 15 years out of him and then he'll probably have to step aside...
"Dublin are very secure in goals with Evan Comerford and David O'Hanlon and there's another young lad from Ballymun Kickhams, David Leonard, who's the Under-20 goalkeeper. There's loads of goalkeepers for Dublin which is brilliant.
"Having Stephen there is hugely important for the group, to have his experience and the standards he sets around the place. Luke Breathnach played against Monaghan so there is integration for younger lads on the panel. It's great that they get to play with the likes of Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny, Con O'Callaghan and that will help them with their development."
As for his own plans in his first year out of the county set-up, Rock says he's mainly concentrating on family life and looking forward to "a first summer holiday in 18 or 19 years. So, that'll be different."
He'll dip his toe into the coaching side of things at Ballymun Kickhams but says work as a co-commentator would definitely interest him.
"I enjoyed the co-commentary side of things. That's something that I'd probably, eh, find myself going down that route. You'd have a fairly good insight on what teams are trying to do. That's probably the route I'd like to go down."
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