Looking to

McCAFFREY AND MANNION RETURN CARRIES A RISK

team in Tyrone and how we handled it.

In 2009 and 2010, in particular, I looked at some of the team sheets and saw the household names that I had soldiered with for years and trusted them with my life.

Unfortunately, their bodies were slowing like we all do.

The driving hunger was also diminishing.

Again, it happens to us all. Players grow up, have responsibilities, lose the insatiable desire and boundless energy that comes with the buzz and excitement of first playing for your county.

The injuries come around more often, recovery is longer.

All these factors stop you from being the player and the team you were before.

We managed Ulster titles but it was the youthful exuberance and willingness to sacrifice everything that held us back from regaining Sam, in my mind.

Titles

Now I’ve no doubt that McCaffrey and Mannon will have great games again, they’ll probably win another few Leinster titles to add to the zillion they already have.

But we shouldn’t start making assumptions that they will return a transitioning team to the top table. Division Two will be a wake up call for the team and, believe it or not, it won’t be the cakewalk most will assume.

Derry and Kildare will feel that they will have every chance of promotion and playing in the driving wind and rain of February will test the true desire of the Dubs.

McCaffrey, Mannion and every Dublin supporter will be dreaming of the band getting back together and the return of the Gavin years. But there’s a huge danger in looking back — and in going back.