The world was a much different place in May 2001, when Stephen Cluxton made his first Championship appearance for Dublin, writes Paul Keane.

WHEN Paul Caffrey stepped down as Dublin manager last summer, it was hard to escape the feeling he was bringing the curtain down on more than just his own career.

Less than two weeks after he led Wexford out for the Leinster SHC final against Kilkenny, it now seems that Nigel Higgins' inter-county hurling career is at an end.