Defeat in the end but there was still much to like about Dublin's performance against Armagh on Saturday evening.
Ger Brennan's side caught the eye for 45 minutes or so, leading their Ulster opponents a merry dance of sorts. Luke Breathnach, before he had to leave the field of play with a shoulder injury, caught the eye, as did Niall Scully and Paddy Small.
And then Armagh, primarily by winning the Dublin kick-out and marauding forward with more intent, took a grip on things in the final 20 minutes. They chipped away at a deficit that at one stage was 11 points. Oisín Conaty's goal on 65 minutes, brilliantly crafted, pushed them three clear. Enough of a cushion to see it out.
Relegation from Allianz League Division 1 remains a worry for both counties ahead of their final games on Sunday next: Armagh host Kerry while Dublin travel to Galway.
Speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast, Éamonn Fitzmaurice accentuated the positives from a Dubs point of view, saying: "It was the best I have seen of Dublin in a while in that first 35 to 40 minutes.
"I thought they were excellent and it would remind you of the Dubs of old the way they were moving the ball, pace all over the pitch, the power, and the scores they were getting. They just looked really good.
"When Armagh got the squeeze on the Dublin kickout they were outstanding.
"In the cold light of day when Ger sits down and looks at it he will have seen very positive aspects. The big disappointment will be Luke Breathnach's injury. He was really showing in this league."
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In his post-match comments to the media, Brennan spoke about leadership, with Fitzmaurice pointing out that he "mentioned it more than once", adding "he was keen to make sure the point was picked up on".
The former All-Ireland-winning player and manager pitted his wits against Dublin teams that had many leaders and the presence of such key figures, he feels, are not steering the Dublin ship at present.
However, having the likes of Stephen Cluxton and Dean Rock as part of Brennan's management team, a duo instrumental in Dublin's golden years during the last decade will, according to Fitzmaurice, only drive on the requirement to get players to step up when the tide appears to be going out.
"What characterised that Dublin teams that Cluxton and Rock were part of as well as being brilliant teams, brilliant management and everything else, what really stuck out from a distance afterwards was when the game was in the melting pot and they needed leaders to stand up, there were always leaders there.
"There were always different leaders, it wasn't a case of one or two fellas they were looking to, different fellas stood up on different days.
"I'm picturing that management team now as if it's something they are discussing themselves. They are viewing things through that lens and they no doubt were disappointed when the heat came on from Armagh. We didn't see leaders step up in the way leaders stepped up in their time.
"I think when you're developing a new team that will take a bit of time."
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