GOING, GOING, GONE ....
MICHAEL FITZSIMONS
Age: 33 (34 before start of next summer) Club: Cuala Championship appearances: 72 Honours won: Eight All-Irelands, 12 Leinsters, three All-Stars (2017, 19, 20) Form: Unfair to judge him on Sunday, given the lack of protection offered in trying to keep David Clifford under tabs, but there is no disguising he is not the player he was. Prospects of going: The oldest player on the squad and with a demanding career as a doctor, it is almost impossible to believe he will be back for a 14th season.
JAMES McCARTHY
Age: 32 (33 before next year’s Championship) Club: Ballymun Kickhams Championship appearances: 68 Honours won: Eight All-Irelands, 12 Leinsters, four All-Stars (2014, 17, 18, 20) Form: If it is based on last weekend, he is closer to a fifth All-Star than any football nursing home. One of the greats of the modern era, there is no question, given what he offers on and off the field, that he will be wanted back. Prospects of going: Slim. True, his status as captain may not survive any change of management but he is a player who is totally immersed in the game and playing as well as he is it is hard to see how he will stop. On top of that, he still has a shot at becoming the most decorated footballer in the game by winning a ninth All-Ireland medal.
JONNY COOPER
Age: 32 (turns 33 later this year) Club: Na Fianna Championship appearances: 56 Honours won: Seven All-Irelands, 10 Leinsters, two All-Stars (2016, 18) Form: Not close to where he was at his peak, when something of an enforcer in the Dublin defence. Even though the sharpness has gone from his game, his standing in the group is such that Farrell chose him to succeed Stephen Cluxton as captain last year. Prospects of going: Big. The likely loss of Fitzsimons would make a case that there is only so much experience that Dublin can afford to lose in their defence, but Cooper will make his assessment at what more he has left to offer. Alternatively, that could be a decision for whoever is in charge next year.
DEAN ROCK
Age: 32 (33 before next year’s Championship) Club: Ballymun Kickhams Championship appearances: 58 Honours won: Seven All-Irelands, 10 Leinsters, three All-Stars (2016, 17, 20) Form: In many ways, he is finishing off his career as he started out, as a free-taking specialist. His proficiency in that skill saw him become Dublin’s all-time top scorer, but he developed his game in open play, his clever running often key to opening up channels in opposing defences but his impact over the past two seasons has been diminished. Prospects of going: Very likely. He has won it all and he will also know that he if he can’t find away to contribute from play, he will have no future going forward. On the flip side, his close friendship with McCarthy could persuade him to give it one final twist.