Dublin are heavy favourites to retain their All-Ireland title. Should they emerge victorious from this season's Championship, they will be the first side to claim consecutive All-Ireland since Kerry in 2006 and 2007.
They have so far ploughed through the opposition without two of their most important players from last year's All-Ireland. Neither Rory O'Carroll or Jack McCaffrey have been part of Jim Gavin's panel so far in the Championship.
O'Carroll is spending time in New Zealand and has admitted it might be quite a while before he pulls on the blue jersey once again. 'Six months or six years' - he's not sure.
Jim Gavin announced during Dublin's league campaign that Jack McCaffrey - the 2015 Footballer of the Year - would also be absent as Dublin attempt to defend their title. McCaffrey is a medical student at UCD and has spent the summer volunteering with GOAL in Africa.
According to the Sunday Independent - who trailed McCaffrey during some of his time in Africa - the player will return to Ireland next month. Specifically August 18th. That's ten days before the All-Ireland semi-final - likely a game between Dublin and Kerry.
However, McCaffrey will not be returning to the panel this year.
No, I can’t see myself involved at all this year.
I’ve loved every second of playing football since I was four. And you know that hasn’t changed since I became an inter-county footballer. If anything it has become more enjoyable. Look, I’m sure there are some players in some inter-county set-ups who aren’t enjoying it as much. But I can only speak from my experience and it’s been a great time.
