Difficult challenge as Dublin seek elusive back-to-back titles

Barely an hour after Dublin’s 2013 All-Ireland football final win, manager Jim Gavin spoke in grave tones of what was coming down the line.

“I know from speaking to other managers that they’re already setting themselves up for the 2014 championship — we’re probably behind now already,” claimed Gavin in his post match press briefing.

At the time, it seemed an almost ridiculous comment, to suggest there’s some sort of inherent penalty for winning the All-Ireland. But perhaps there is.