Sean Cavanagh: Veteran Dubs won't walk away while still top of pile

The Last Dance might just have one more sashay left in it, with reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin likely to keep the band together until they're booted off-stage, according to former Tyrone ace Sean Cavanagh.

Dublin’s 2023 run to the Sam Maguire had a distinct 'once more from the top’ feel to it after Dessie Farrell convinced Stephen Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion to return to the fold while veterans James McCarthy and Michael Fitzsimons signed on for a tilt at yet another Celtic Cross.

Once McCarthy, Fitzsimons and Cluxton had become the only men to collect nine All-Ireland titles after victory over Kerry last July and all three had backed-up that achievement with All-Star recognition, many assumed several – if not all – of those Sky Blue veterans would walk off into the sunset, arms raised aloft.

But, creeping towards Christmas month, mum’s the word. We haven’t heard much talk of retirement from the Dublin stalwarts – although, as we know, that wouldn’t be Cluxton’s style anyway.

Dean Rock, who played a reduced role from the bench this term, seemed closest to packing his inter-county bags in the aftermath of the victory over Kerry. McCarthy appeared to be at least thinking about it.

It’s surely unlikely we’ll see all of these guys back in harness come 2024. Or is it?

RTÉ GAA analyst Cavanagh reckons the holders won't abdicate voluntarily. The team that supplants the Dubs will have to beat them first. All of them.

"The right time to go is never there. Most people would argue the right time is really a year or two before you’re ready," Cavanagh said this week. "I get the feeling that they won’t step away because of the success they had this year. They’ve earned the right to do that.

"I’m a big basketball fan and