What is it that makes these Dubs just so damn good?

For all the talk of their deep pockets and bulging population, right now, Dublin keep coming up with all the right answers, and are the unquestionable brand leaders for all things Gaelic football.

Behind the scenes, they formulated a vision, and they operate their county committee with all the foresight and efficiency of a multinational company. Their ‘Blue Wave’ document set out their strategies aimed at affecting a positive change, and they are continuing to reap the fruit of that forward thinking today. They invested heavily in coaching while other counties continued to pour their money into bricks, stadiums and statues.

Those boots on the ground have ensured a golden generation of Dublin senior footballer who will march into Sunday’s showpiece as clear favourites to solidify their legacy as one of the very rare and special teams to win back-to-back All Irelands in the modern era.