DUBLIN defender Philly McMahon is hoping to exorcise a few demons when Jim Gavin's side line out against Joe Kernan's Ulster Allstars in Saturday's 'Game For Anto' at Ravenhill.
The last time the Ballymun Kickham's clubman pulled on the iconic sky blue jersey was August 31, when Jim McGuinness and Donegal masterminded a six-point victory over the 2013 All-Ireland champions to reach this year's Sam Maguire decider.
McMahon has backed his teammates to restore pride to the Dublin jersey in what will be a "highly competitive" game.
"Any time Dublin play against northern opposition, it's always a good battle and there's always a few feisty moments," he said.
"We will be looking forward to getting another shot at the Donegal boys after the All-Ireland semi-final.
"We still carry hurt from that game, but only towards ourselves. We didn't perform to our capabilities.
"We did well in the first 20 minutes
but we didn't sustain that. We can't aim that anger at Donegal because it was all about our own failings.
"It was one of those weird situations where you have a lot of emotions and regret afterwards. A serious amount of thinking was done.
"The great thing about the Dublin lads, though, is that they always look at themselves before they start looking at other individuals to blame. We'll all be looking to put that right on Saturday.
"You just have to look at the strength of the Ulster line-up to know it will be a highly competitive game.
"No player wants to lose when they step onto a pitch and we would like to be going back down the road with a win."
Dublin boss Gavin will bring a star-studded line-up to Belfast for the charity game at Kingspan Stadium, and all proceeds will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association and deterMND - the charity set up by former Antrim captain Anto Finnegan, who was diagnosed with the disease in August 2012.
McMahon admits, however, that football is immaterial on Saturday, with raising awareness the primary objective.
"We are all looking forward to it, especially given the cause," he said.
"It is always great to pull on a blue jersey, no matter what time of the year it is.
"I think the county players all over Ireland have a responsibility to give back when they have the opportunity to do so.
"Sport, at the end of the day, is a great thing to compete in but when you look at diseases like Motor Neurone Disease and how they
impact people's lives, you realise there is a lot more to life.
"Supporting charities is essential and if you do that through sport, that's a bonus. I'm really looking forward to getting up and supporting Anto.
"It is a good opportunity to get out and play football at this time of year. Players finish their club season around this time and they usually start doing bits and pieces by themselves, so this match will be a great experience.
"The club football is only finishing up in Dublin now so the lads have been ticking over and we'll be travelling up in good shape.
"To get out and have a good game of football with Dublin and against such a quality Ulster team will be a great challenge.
"My dad is from Belfast so all the extended family will be meeting up and going to the game. It will be a great day and giving support to the cause is the most important thing."