It was 20 years since Dublin last tasted National Football League glory and although the manner of this year's triumph makes them favourites for Sam Maguire, it is well known that doing a league and championship double is not very common.
Yesterday's victory was the Dubs ninth league title but they have only managed to go on to All Ireland glory in two of those years (1958 and 1976), although they were runners-up for Sam on a further two occasions.
However they did capture the Leinster crown in the same year on all but two occasions, which in fairness can be obscured by the relative strength of the provincial championship down the decades. But Jim Gavin's men will be strong favourites to win Leinster for the eigth time in nine years this summer.
They may have to face tricky games against Division 2 finalists Westmeath and Division 1 semi-finalists Kildare (assuming both sides get through) but they should have enough in the tank to reach the final.
While the historical stats may not be in Dublin's favour for an All Ireland tilt, reality is quite different. Boasting arguably the strongest squad in the country, a blend of youth and experience and competition for places from the backs to the forwards, Gavin can be confident of being there or thereabouts when the GAA President hands over the trophy on September 22nd.
What will encourage him is the fact they emerged from a hard-fought big game encounter with Tyrone with a victory to add to the consistency and flair they showed throughout the campaign, despite a fair amount of experimentation with personnel.
From a head-to-head perspective there will also be optimism as the Dubs beat every one of their Division 1 rivals with the exception of Donegal on route to the league title.
Mayo were beaten twice but that was the team that shocked them in last year's All Ireland semi-finals and it is difficult to know whether James Horan has shown his full hand yet.
All Ireland champions Donegal who had the best defensive record in this year's league will also have something to say in the latter stages of the championship, although much will depend on the outcome of their Ulster championship clash with Tyrone this time next month.
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
