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Published 22:19 30 Jul 2023 BST
Updated 18:07 31 Jul 2023 BST
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Paul Mannion celebrates after Dublin's win over Kerry.[/caption]
Farrell admitted that the returning four were crucial, especially in 'clutch moments' on days like today.
"While the young fellas were great, they were still maybe a year or two potentially off the level of the development that you need in the clutch moments on the biggest days of the year.
"So I have no doubt that that there’s that level of selflessness is in them all, and the care and nurture of the group flipped the balance in our favour and meant they were much more amenable to coming back."
Cluxton came in for special praise from both Farrell and Dublin captain James McCarthy, who said that some discussions at his wedding played a part in getting the boys back.
"We were ferociously disappointed with the last two seasons. We were hurt. They really did hurt. But life goes on. We gathered at the start of the year. We had a bit of a chat at the wedding, try and get a few boys back. And they made a difference as well.
"Yeah, like, the two kicks in the first half - he just stroked them over, amazing to be able to do that," said McCarthy.
"Stephen is Stephen. I was actually free once or twice beside him and he wasn’t ever giving them to me, he had his mind made up and he was nailing them over, yeah.
"It took him a while to get up and a while to get back!
"He has the knee bandaged up, so he’s a bit slower," joked McCarthy.
"He used to do all the sprints with us and stuff when I started off, but he’s kicked on a bit now. But Stephen is Stephen. He’s steely and just a tough man. The standards drives everything and just gives you a great comfort behind, that he’s driving everyone up the pitch. Yeah, he’s one of a kind."
Dessie Farrell added that it was 'fairytale ending.'
"He’s a happy man, just to be away and to come back again and they say there’s no such thing as fairytale endings in sport, but it was a little bit like a dream come true for sure."
If it is the end, it couldn't have gone any better.
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