Does the GAA really need a successful Dublin football team?

Does the lack of the biggest and most supported team in GAA affect the visibility, revenues, branding, and marketing of the biggest sporting competition in the land?

John Small and brother Paddy Small of Dublin lift the Sam Maguire after the All-Ireland win over Mayo at Croke Park in 2020. The Dubs lost their crown this year but remain a powerful force. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Forget the big sporting question going into last weekend’s All-Ireland football final and whether Mayo could finally rid itself of the serial runners-up tag.

As they once again performed to type, the interesting commercial question for the sponsors, brand owners, and partners was: ‘What would an All-Ireland without a dominant Dublin look like commercially?’