Dessie's Dublin decision could have domino effect

The possibility of Dublin's more experienced players continuing on for another season could hinge on Dessie Farrell’s future as manager, according to Ciarán Whelan.

Farrell, who secured his second All-Ireland title in four years with victory over Kerry on Sunday, extended his term in charge in 2022 for a further two seasons.

All things being equal the Na Fianna man will be at the helm to lead the charge for back-to-back titles, but there has been speculation that he could step away on a high.

Successive All-Ireland semi-final defeats and relegation to Division 2 saw the Dubs’ stock fall somewhat, but the return of Stephen Cluxton, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey proved crucial to their latest Celtic Cross.

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Cluxton, James McCarthy and Mick Fitzsimons collected a record-breaking ninth All-Ireland, with McCarthy and Fitzsimons admitting afterwards they didn’t know if they would be back in blue, a sentiment exchoed by eight-time All-Ireland winner Dean Rock.

Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, former Dublin player Whelan says the next move by Farrell could have a significant knock-on effect among some of the players.

"The first real issue is whether Dessie stays," he said. "You got a sense that everyone was back for one push, but when you digest it, and the energy they will get off this, will they be asking of there is potentially another one (All-Ireland) in us?

"They (Cluxton, McCarthy and Fitzsimons) all started, they all finished the game. They look in as good a shape as they have