Brian Mullins' mentality and physical commitment came to epitomise Dublin

It is not the medals that define Brian Mullins’ greatness. Instead, it is his defining presence in the Dublin team of the 1970s and 1980s.

Black, white and blue: Brian Mullins and Ciarán Duff celebrate with supporters after Dublin’s win over Cork in the 1983 All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. They went on to beat Galway in the final. Picture: Ray McManus

Brian Mullins was one of the greatest players ever to play Gaelic football for Dublin. Indeed, it can fairly be said that he is one of the greatest players ever to play Gaelic football.

In part, this is something that is laid bare in a crude count of his medals. He won four All-Ireland titles, nine Leinster titles, two National Leagues and two All-Star awards. These were medals won despite the fact that his career as a Dublin player – running from 1974 to 1985 – coincided with the lifespan of a Kerry team that is rightly considered one of the greatest teams of all time. And in the middle of that career, he suffered horrendous injuries in a car crash.