In the end it was easier than many expected. Dublin were in no way flattered by their ten-point win over Louth in Saturday's Leinster SFC semi-final at Laois Hire O'Moore Park.
After missing out last year, a return date in the decider beckons for the Dubs against either Kildare or Westmeath in Croke Park on 17 May.
For the Wee County, relinquishing their title in such a manner will hurt and they will now await Monday's All-Ireland Round 1 draw in their quest to salvage their campaign.
Dublin, by virtue of making a provincial final, will have home advantage in that draw. That's for the future and interim boss Dean Rock certainly accentuated the positives after watching what transpired in Portlaoise, a game where ace forward Con O'Callaghan was not deemed fit enough to start but where Cormac Costello led the scoring charge with a ten-point haul.
"Apart from the result it was the general application and work-rate, which was fantastic to see," said Rock, when speaking to RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"That's what you want from any team going out, that hunger and desire, and we got that today in spades from the lads.
"To keep Louth to ten points was really pleasing and that is something we'll bring forward into two weeks' time."
The early spring saw Dublin make the drop to Division 2, with Rock highlighting how well they pushed on against Louth after the break, an aspect of their game that he felt was absent throughout February and March.
"Throughout the National League we were looking for that consistency and the lads were well aware of that," he added.
"There was a big emphasis and a push to match Louth's energy at the start of the second half, to rise it to a different level. That's what the lads did and they responded to the call from the management team, controlling the game in the second half.
"These lads are a resilient bunch of players and we have the utmost faith in them, we see their ability week in, week out, and I think it was then a question of mastering that consistency across four quarters, which we did for the most part today. That was the most pleasing thing today, to give the lads the confidence to see out games
"The carrot today was getting to a Leinster final and as a kid growing you want to represent Dublin in Croke Park in Leinster finals and other big days."
On the flip side, Louth assistant manager Peter Dooley could not hide his disappointment, stating that the side "were in a good place" coming into the game.
In the first half, our efficiency was very poor in terms of a couple of two-pointers missed and scores we left behind.
"And on turnovers, the Dubs were hurting us on that fast transition, and it seeped through the team. With 15 minutes to go we had a chance of a goal from Craig [Lennon} and Ryan Burns which didn't go in.
"The game then petered out, all the more disappointing because we thought the game in the last ten to 15 minutes would be in the melting pot. Overall our performance was disappointing.
"We were hopeful of another big day out in Croke Park."
Dooley, however, is hopeful the squad can pick things up in the Sam Maguire race, saying: "We have been on a journey over the last four or five years and I feel the calibre of players we have, their personalities, will be ready for the draw on Monday morning."
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