Dublin boss Dessie Farrell reckons defeat to Derry in the Allianz Football League Division 1 final has shown his side "where we are at", following a classic encounter which went all the way to penalties at Croke Park.
Dublin climbed back from the dead not once but twice, nicking a last-gasp equalising point in normal time to force extra time and an even more dramatic late goal at the end of extra time to drag the game to penalty kicks.
Derry, to their credit, composed themselves and needed only three converted kicks to claim the top-flight league crown.
"It was a spectacle," Farrell told RTÉ Sport after the game. "Disappointed with the overall outcome. We didn't get into a flow today, into a rhythm, the way we had in previous weeks. Great credit to Derry for creating that and not allowing that to happen.
"A little bit flat at times but happy with the character shown at different stages of the game. To eke out the draw in normal time having been under the cosh for so long and then similarly in extra time to come up and throw the last dart there to salvage something and bring it to penalties.
"Plenty for us to take away from it, which is great. I think up until this point, I think maybe one game in the league where we played Kerry, we’ve played teams who have been depleted or resting players or hadn’t all their players available.
"So it was very difficult for us to truly assess where we were at and we knew today would do that for us so we’re delighted with that and we’ll take a lot from it.
Dublin have blooded several young stars and enhanced the experienced of others who have been in and around the squad for recent seasons throughout their league campaign. Cian Murphy has become a fixture in the backline while Killian McGinnis and Lorcan O’Dell have both been more regular contributors in 2024.
"That strength in depth has been a challenge in recent seasons," the manager explained. "A lot of new players coming in, transitioning of older experienced players moving on.
"That’s something we looked at this season, trying to give more younger players exposure, get them settled into the squad and maybe into being part of the 26 on a big match day.
"We’ll take a few days off, give the lads a bit if a rest and we’ll get back at it towards the back-end of next week.
"Championship around the corner, it’s time to reset and refocus on that championship campaign ahead. We saw it today, there are other teams in the shadows who are planning a major assault.
"We can only focus on ourselves, we know we have a huge amount to do."
Farrell added that he expected the Dubs' record nine-time All-Ireland-winning trio of Stephen Cluxton, Mick Fitzsimons and James McCarthy to all be available for championship.
McCarthy is the only one of the three to have seen action during the league, for half an hour on the opening-day defeat to Monaghan.
"Everyone is back training with us at this point," said the manager.
"Stephen has been training away over the last two months, and we have a few other fellas who are available but we're getting them back from injuries or trying to mind them and get them right for the right time of year."
