Former Dublin footballer Barry Cahill believes there could be a winter of change coming for Dublin football.
That includes, should they defeat Kerry on Sunday and win a record-breaking fifth consecutive All-Ireland title, a possibility that Jim Gavin will step down as manager after seven seasons in charge.
The 2011 All-Ireland winner also feels we will see a number of retirements from the Dublin panel.
"I think this winter will be a period of change for a number of players," Cahill said at the launch of AIB’s new short film, The Toughest Temptation.
"Paul Flynn has obviously already retired. I'd probably expect another four guys who could possibly finish up.
"The big question will be Stephen Cluxton in my opinion. I mean whenever he goes, if it's this winter or maybe a year or two further down the road, that'll be a massive change and also Jim Gavin.
"I think there's a possibility Jim could, if they win on Sunday, finish up this winter. Him and Declan Darcy are very close and if Declan Darcy decided he can't give it any more, and the whole effort and commitment has taken its toll and if you think back to those two guys, in particular, have been involved with Dublin teams since 2003 - it's a long old stint.
"You get five-in-a-row under your belt, certainly that changes the whole dynamic as to maybe what you want to do going forward. Let's say the scenario where they lost the game, they won't want to finish on that note so they'll go back again.
"I think if Dublin win five-in-a-row there could be four or five potential retirements but there's also a chance the management team might finish up.
"I know Jim had sort of extended his agreement with the county board earlier in the year but that's not anything of note really, it's just probably Jim's way of telling guys he's not going away and trying to keep all the squad members on their toes but yeah I wouldn't rule it out."
Barry Cahill at the launch of AIB’s new short film, The Toughest Temptation. The three-minute film captures the reactions of four superfans from Mayo, Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone as they are faced with the decision to forgo watching their team compete in the semi-final in order to win tickets to the All-Ireland final. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
"I don't think so. No I really don't," responded Cahill when asked if Stephen Cluxton is replaceable.
"Even though the standard of goalkeeping in Dublin club football is very high and there's a really good understudy there in Evan Comerford, I think just the aura around Stephen and the presence and the calmness that he gives to the backline [is hard to replace].
"He's obviously captain of the team for the last number of years. [There's] Massive experience there and what he's done for the game has been remarkable.
"I also think opposition teams will go really hard against Dublin's kickouts when Stephen finishes up. So the scrutiny that'll be on the next goalkeeper will be very high and the spotlight will be on him. It'll be a difficult set of boots to fill no doubt."
Photos by Sportsfile
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