Band of brothers back together for Farrell's class of '93

For almost a half hour against Kildare, Dublin had Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion, John Small, Brian Fenton and Ciarán Kilkenny all on the field. It could become a regular sight again

MINOR MARVELS: Dublin players celebrate with the cup after the game. Leinster GAA Football Minor Championship Final, Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo by Sportsfile

A couple of hours before Dessie Farrell spoke to DubsTV to confirm Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion’s return to the panel last September 18, the word had reached some observers at that afternoon’s county senior quarter-finals in Parnell Park that they would be donning their navy and blue capes again in 2023.

It was no coincidence that their comebacks were announced at the same time. Born in 1993 and UCD alums, the pair are close friends, socialising and going to the odd Premier League game together.