Seven-time All-Ireland winner John Small looks to have played his final game for Dublin with Ciarán Kilkenny admitting that it's "unlikely" he will be back in blue.
Since last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Galway, James McCarthy and Brian Fenton have retired, while Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion have stepped away.
Manager Dessie Farrell has said that Mick Fitzsimons is "unlikely" to return, though does expect Stephen Cluxton to be part of his championship preparations.
Speculation had been mounting that Ballymun Kickhams defender Small, an integral part of Dublin’s success over the last decade, would not be involved this year. Younger brother Paddy also hasn't featured in the league to date, with Kilkenny confirming he doesn’t expect the elder Small to be part of the plans.
"It’s unlikely that John is going to be with us this year," he said, speaking at the launch of the 2025 Aer Lingus College Classic.
"He knows he’d be welcome to come in if he wanted, but it’s unlikely he’ll be back this year."
An All-Ireland Under-21 winner in 2014, Small made his senior debut in the 2015 Leinster championship against Longford and came on in that year’s All-Ireland final victory over Kerry, the first of Dublin’s historic six-in-a-row. His final Celtic Cross came in the 2023 All-Ireland success over Kerry.
Kilkenny paid tribute to the decorated cluster of players who have stepped away together.
"They have given such service to the group and team," he said. "They have been incredible for Dublin.
"It’s more so you’re sad that they are your friends and they won’t be around as much.
"It’s a new chapter for them in their lives."
Entering into his 14th season with the Dubs, the Castleknock man is now one of the elder statemen, a senior player helping the 18 new faces into the extended panel find their feet at inter-county level.
"That’s exciting," the 31-year-old says. "It’s a great opportunity for other players to step up, other players will come out of themselves and have more responsibility.
"The group is in a really exciting place, a blend of youth and experience."
The Dubs are three wins from five in Division 1, their most recent outing an eight-point defeat away to Armagh when the first-half deficit proved too big a hurdle to overcome.
The main focus in the early part of the year centres around the new playing rules, with Kilkenny helping himself to two-pointers against Donegal and Armagh.
"It’s a great opportunity and creates tension and energy in games," he says of the successfully shooting outside the arc.
"With the significant wind conditions in certain grounds, it makes it a little easier. If there were more still conditions, I’d imagine the two-pointers would be quite challenging."
As a forward, Kilkenny welcomes the individual battles around the pitch that the rules have helped create.
"Creating more opportunities for 1v1s, or 2v1s with the keeper up," he responded when asked what he regards as the most beneficial aspect of the changes.
"As a forward, you are getting more opportunities to take your man on. There are a lot of contests."
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