Tomás Quinn: Expect Jim Gavin to pilot the drive for All-Ireland hat-trick bid

Are the back-to-back All-Ireland champions set fair for further domination or already past their peak?

Hunger for the hat-trick?

Back-to-back, a successful defence of Sam Maguire, a rarity in the modern game and yet we can’t help but already turn our heads to whether three-in-a-row might be a possibility.

One thing is for sure. Whatever the start date for the Dublin squad of 2017, that is the day this victory is parked and focus on what is in front is all that matters.

That can often be easier said then done and something many other counties have failed to follow through on.

One reason why the back to back became a reality is because Dublin flipped the agenda. Listen to Diarmuid Connolly in his interview afterwards when he says in their mind they weren’t defending anything this year, they were attacking a new championship with an aggressive mindset.

So while some of their performances may have felt more controlled and safer than previous seasons, their mental approach never factored in a defence of anything, they viewed this season as a separate entity.

This mindset will be crucial for 2017, so much focus from outside the group will be given to the attempt of three-in-a-row but Jim Gavin and his squad will look to deflect that and stick to the process that has worked for them.

Again expect a focus to be put on the League, a competition Dublin are now used to retaining, as they will look to maintain their consistency and performance levels, particularly on their away days — they have three Ulster journeys in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan as well as a trip to Tralee to face Kerry.

Dublin have used these as gut check games and will tell us early in the year where the squad are at in terms of hunger.

Ready-made replacements?

In the weeks following the end of any season, thoughts and questions turn to those within a squad who may have played their final game. The easiest place to start with questions like that are with the older players on the squad.

Stephen Cluxton and Denis Bastick are the only players in their mid-30s in this Dublin squad. Both have claimed four All Ireland winners medals in their 30s which is incredible in itself. Cluxton has again shown his value and leadership to this Dublin team and the only question is whether he has the hunger and willingness to commit to the level required again as from a football perspective. At this juncture, there is no signs of any fall off.

Bastick faces a very different challenge of trying to compete in an ever-quickening middle third. His time on the pitch with his son Aidan after the final whistle had a feel of a man making peace with his last visit to the playing field of Croke Park. Bastick has been a crucial cog in this squad as midfield is an area where there is no obvious signs of replacements. As we saw with the option to start Paul Flynn midfield, next year might see a situation where James McCarthy plays a full year in the middle, especially if Jack McCaffrey comes back.

Bernard Brogan is 32 and has had a down year by his standards. While his place may not be as automatic as years past he still has a huge amount to offer the group. He has already said he intends to play in 2017.

Young faces to look for in the League are forwards Con O’Callaghan and Colm Basquel with Cormac Costello also looking to build on yesterdays game changing display.

Gavin going anywhere?

One of the first fundamental questions about this Dublin sides future resolves around Jim Gavin and his management team. It goes without saying that after delivering a third All Ireland title in four years, it will be a decision Gavin will have full control over and is something he and his backroom team will discuss in the coming weeks.

Any decision to stay will likely be based around personal circumstances and whether he is in a position to continue to commit the time needed to front a modern inter-county management team as well as the squad of players.

If he believes he can give the level required the obvious carrot of trying to be a team for the ages by securing a three-in-a-row will be a goal that all decisions are based around.

The age profile of the squad and the continuity he will have as a result of minimal retirements means he will just have to tweak certain areas or players rather than any extensive type of rebuilding work.

This Dublin squad is continuously evolving and one of the great learnings Dublin took from falling short in 2014 in attempting to retain Sam Maguire for the first time under Gavin was what you produced the year before will not be good enough again.

There is a trap that champions stay the same and trust what made them successful but the longer you stay static the more beatable you become.

It can be harder to innovate and be proactive with change, when you are winning, but Gavin has proven that he will look to challenge his staff and players to come up with new wrinkles to their individual abilities and teams tactical awareness.

I don’t think Jim is ready to walk away and will be back for more.