The delirium that descended on the capital following Dublin GAA's historic victory last month is finally beginning to abate. And with that, the Dublin squad can finally take stock of their achievements.
But, like a bad odour, the issue of funding continues to linger.
Speaking to 2FM's Game On last night, Dublin selector Jason Sherlock attempted to address the matter with an objective eye. He said:
I'm totally aware of all the criticism and negativity about Dublin. I'm not saying one side is right or one side is wrong, what I suppose is challenging for me is how entrenched it's got. It seems to be Dublin versus everyone else which I don't think is a good starting point.
Unfortunately it's a multi-layered challenge and problem. It involves so many different stakeholders. I suppose, ultimately, I want a sustainable model. The reality based on GAA and populations and stuff like that: is it going to be fair for 32 counties? It's going to be a challenge.
But then, at the same time, we can come up with a sustainable model that would allow and motivate boys and girls to commit the time required for their county. I suppose that's the challenge. That's the global argument.
I understand why people are putting two and two together. I don't necessarily think, though, it adds up to four.
Sherlock also addressed his brief departure from the squad earlier this year and his subsequent return to the fold down in Tralee. While admitting that there may have been disagreements on the coaching ticket, he maintained that it had never gotten to the stage that was reported at the time.
He put that speculation to bed last month but on last night's programme he spoke about his experiences returning to the panel after initially walking away.
The lads had only been back. I'd been on holiday with them in January. It wasn't as if I was away for very long.
And obviously I would have been in contact with players and management through that process. It wasn't as if there was a total separation, as such.
It was just figuring out things in my own head, and then obviously with Jim and Dec [Darcy, Dublin selector] to see that we were serving the players as best as we can. It was a simple as that.
I understand media have responsibilities, and they want to create stories and get messages out. I thought it was important when these headlines came that I was involved down in Kerry. We moved on from there.
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