No player in the history of the GAA has won more at inter-county level, but Mick Fitzsimons' insists a maiden club title with Cuala has topped all of his previous successes.
The decorated defender was integral to Dublin’s domination of the football championship over the last 14 years, with nine Celtic Crosses to his name and no indication that he is ready to pack it all in just yet.
An even greater influence at club level, the 36-year-old saw Cuala’s incredible journey in the football championship end in ultimate glory as the south Dublin side withstood a second-half rally from Errigal Ciarán to land a maiden title.
After blitzing the Tyrone champions for 3-09 in the opening period, it was more of a defensive effort after the break, yet when the dust settled it was the Dublin club that prevailed 3-14 to 1-16.
"It’s incredible. To see James Power (captain) and Luke Keating up there (Hogan Stand)," he told RTÉ Sport in the aftermath of victory.
"We have been slaving away at this. I have been playing for 18 years at this stage. There are lads that have just plugged away through some dire times.
"It's the sweetest victory I've ever had, definitely. I would have been envious of all the Dublin teams that won it before. Vincents, Ballyboden, Crokes…to be able to experience it is unbelievable."
The Ulster champions needed a strong reaction coming out of the dressing rooms at half-time and despite losing captain and talisman Darragh Canavan to injury, outscored their opponents 0-05 to 1-11 after the break.
They ultimately ran out of road, but Fitzsimons admitted his team couldn’t arrest the momentum swing.
"We probably played a bit too aggressively in the second half. Errigal pushed right up on us, squeezed us, and were phenomenal. Peter Harte was absolutely outstanding and to lose their talisman Daragh Canavan was tough for them. They're a great team."
The GAA split-season has solved one problem, but exacerbated another – the separation between inter-county squads and clubs.
Former Dublin footballer Dr Noel McCaffrey has voiced his concerns and the 1988 All-Star has proposed a rule that players are only eligible for inter-county squads by being "active" club players, suggesting "at least" 12 competitive club games per year.
Fitzsimons agrees that club football cannot be treated like a second-class citizen compared to the inter-county game.
"Club football is what it is about," he insisted. "You shouldn't forget about that. I'm not just saying it today, I've said that when we were not winning anything or winning intermediates.
"I think club football should be treasured as much as possible. No matter what way the game goes at inter-county level, club football should be put on a pedestal every time it can.
"I think Noel McCaffrey is trying to get a motion passed so I'll definitely endorse that."
