Michael Darragh Macauley believes last year's All-Ireland semi-final loss has "put a fire" in Dublin and is backing the Blues to return to the championship summit this summer.
Now 35, the all-action midfielder called it quits an intercounty level in January of last year, thus joining the AllStar exodus over the past three years that has forced the all-conquering Dubs to transform and rebuild.
Macauley is fresh off a six month hiatus that gave him the opportunity to see the world, partly satisfying a wanderlust he had to contain during his Dublin years.
"It was fun, lots of fun," he smiled. "Just acting the maggot in loads of different countries.
"There are pros and cons to playing for Dublin - the pros always outweigh the cons and that's why I stayed there.
"But one of the big cons was that I never went travelling with my friends. A lot of them did Australia, South America, Central America, did all those fun things that I just didn't get a chance to do.
"That's just one of the hits you take but there are so many positives that it's worth it.
"That was always going to be on my to-do list, to get away afterwards.
"But I've had a very fun decade, a very fun decade! Even though I didn't travel as much as I would have wanted to, I wouldn't change it. There's plenty of time for that going forward.
"I'm just happy to wave my Dublin flag now on the sidelines."
And Macauley, now a passionate supporter while also returning to club football with Ballyboden, was present at the Dubs' recent Leinster championship victories over Wexford and Meath.
"Some of my best friends are playing in big games so I'd always keep an eye on it," quipped the eight-time All-Ireland winner.
Compared to last year's disjointed performances that culminated in their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Mayo, Macauley sees a ruthless edge returning to Dessie Farrell's side.
"I would've put money on Dublin to win that game," said Macauley of the Mayo defeat.
"It's definitely put a fire in them now. It's going to be interesting to see how they respond but they've been strong so far.
"Of course they can win the All-Ireland. Dublin will be in the mix, for sure.
"That was one of the best offensive displays I've seen in a long time, the last day.
"The opposition was what it was the last day, they weren't what we expected from Meath unfortunately - but Meath were also unlucky to get Dublin on a night when their scoring efficiency was off the charts.
"Having that clinical edge will be huge going down the stretch this year."
However Macauley acknowledges that Leinster hasn't been competitive for some time.
If Dublin beat Kildare on Saturday in the provincial decider it will be 12 years since they last lost a Leinster final, and lost in the province at all.
"I lose track of all the changes they make in the GAA, they keep talking about changing provincial structures and I don't know where it's going to land," said Macauley, himself a 10-time Leinster title winner.
"I don't have the magic answer myself but I know the provincials haven't been as competitive for the last number of years, but that could change soon and people will stop complaining about it. We'll see.
"I haven't seen much of Kildare but the Leinster final is always the Leinster final.
"I'm sure the boys in Kildare will be brewing up a storm for them and let's see if the Dublin lads can weather it."
As it happens Macauley will be hosting a Legends Tour in Croke Park on Saturday morning, just hours ahead of the Leinster decider.
"God knows who wants to come and hear me talk nonsense, but it should be a bit of fun," he laughed.
"I’m sure I’ll give a few insider gags of what was going on in the dressing-room.
"Someone just asked me to do it and I thought it might be interesting, a bit of fun as well. I had no problem giving back to that.
"I've no idea if anyone is going to turn up, whether it would be tourists or the Dubs but it should be good."
Football For Unity 2022 festival, hosted by Sport Against Racism Ireland and the Dublin North East Inner City initiative, takes place from June 6th to July 15th. For further information, or to register a team, log on to www.footballforunity.ie "
