Dublin football manager Dessie Farrell has revealed that he is planning without Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey this year, but that 43-year-old goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is back in training.
Forward Mannion and wing-back McCaffrey, both 31, had returned to the panel for the 2023 All-Ireland triumph after a couple of seasons out but have now stepped away again.
"These lads aren't ones for releasing retirement statements or whatever, but I’d say it’s unlikely that the two lads will be involved with us this year," Farrell told reporters following Dublin's Allianz Football League win over Mayo on Saturday night.
"Of course, the door is always open if there’s any change of hearts or change of minds, but the way discussions have gone, it’s probably unlikely.
"Jack is very busy obviously in his profession, he's not working in Dublin this year, and Paul has significant commitments - work and family and that type of thing as well. It’s unlikely, but we never close the door, and possibly, they don’t want to either so we’ll see how it goes."
Farrell intends to speak to nine-time All-Ireland winner Mick Fitzsimons (35) about his intentions, in the aftermath of Cuala's club triumph, but Cluxton, who share the all-time record for Sam Maguire victories with the defender and the now retired James McCarthy, will be back.
"Stephen has been back with us," Farrell said. "He's had a small little cleanout of the knee. He’s working his way back from that, but he’s been involved from the start.
"We’re looking forward to having him back in the next couple of weeks, to full participation in training, we hope."
Meanwhile, All-Star forward Rian O'Neill was not part of the Armagh team that lost in Galway, and manager Kieran McGeeney was unsure when he would be back.
"He is taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute," McGeeney said. "I don't know whether it is weeks or months. We said we'd give it to him."
"When it is personal I try not to ask any questions. He was in for a while and he was training, he is just taking a bit of time for himself. That is it."
