Diarmuid Connolly has hailed the "massive achievement" of Dublin rivals Castleknock reaching their first senior county decider.
The St Vincent's star will line out against the surprising finalists on Saturday at Parnell Park, less than 24 hours after the All-Ireland winner collects his second GAA-GPA All Star award on Friday evening.
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Castleknock have only been in existence for 18 years and have only been a senior club for two, a rapid rise that has impressed all within the county, including Connolly.
"(They are a) fabulous young team, they've come from 2012 playing junior football and then two years later won an intermediate," Connolly told RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime.
"Now, two years after that, they are in a senior Dublin final, which is massive achievement for a club so young.
"They have a lot of young talent. They are well-drilled and keep control of the ball really well. They've a really good defensive system but they can also attack, so we'll have our work cut out on Saturday."
Connolly may have four All-Ireland medals with Dublin, but his bond with Vincent's, with whom he has won three Dublin and two All-Ireland club titles, has always been strongest.
"It's the place you start playing and it'll be place that you finish playing," the 29-year-old said.
"We've had great management teams at the club and great players down through the years. Look at the history in St Vincent's, it's been massive, and to be a small part of that is very special for me.
