Dublin's hopes of regaining the Sam Maguire Cup in 2023 have been boosted by confirmation that talisman captain James McCarthy will be available again.
McCarthy's advancing years - he turns 33 next March - and recent difficulties with injuries, missing much of the league and the Championship win over Cork, left a question mark hanging over his participation.
But the eight-time All-Ireland winner has insisted he wishes to keep playing for 'another year or two' and stated that he will have 'unfinished business' to attend to next year.
It's a major boost to Dublin boss Dessie Farrell who himself recently agreed to a fresh two-year deal in charge of the Sky Blues.
McCarthy remains a key figure for Dublin, starring in their narrow All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry, and will be expected to drive their challenge for, initially, promotion from Division 2 and then Championship success in 2023.
"I'm definitely planning on going back next season, I think there is a bit of unfinished business still," said McCarthy.
"I'm still enjoying my football, albeit I had too many injuries this year but I'm really enjoying the training and the competing and playing the games.
"You'll be finished long enough so I'll try to get another year or two out of it if I can, that would be great."
Asked what exactly 'unfinished business' means considering he's done it all at this stage, McCarthy pointed to his burning desire for another All-Ireland win.
"I still think we can win an All-Ireland title, that's the truth of it," said the four-time All-Star. "And that's the goal for next season. We'll be really going hard for it.
"Look, we haven't been good enough the last two seasons, that's a fact. We lost two semi-finals and we've been relegated from Division 1 but do I still think the group is good enough to compete for the highest honours? Absolutely. And we'll be hoping to drive that on for next season."
McCarthy, Fitzsimons and five other retired Dublin players each have eight All-Ireland medals, leaving them joint level in the all-time roll of honour with five Kerry greats.
There are no guarantees that Fitzsimons will be back for 2023 so McCarthy could yet be the only Dublin player with the chance to reach nine wins.
He said it's not a big motivation.
"Not really to be honest. You are aware it is there but I still really enjoy playing football, still really enjoy playing at that level and competing and that's what drives me on moreso."
The versatile McCarthy, with All-Stars in defence and midfield, sees no reason why he can't keep improving despite closing in on veteran status.
"There are plenty of opinions when you get over 30 but if you are still enjoying it and have the time and the hunger for it, there's no reason you can't compete," he said.
"The way I look at it is, I have 12 or 13 years of high level training and playing over a fella who is 20, so that's an advantage for me as well. I don't see it as a limitation. It's more in your mind."
The problem with advancing age and high mileage is the increased risk of injuries and they caught up on McCarthy this year.
His first start in the National League didn't come until Round 6 and he missed the Cork game in the Championship with hamstring trouble.
"I'd be fairly diligent in my training but I got some hamstring injuries this year which I'd be annoyed about because I always think you can prevent them," he said. "It's the contact ones you can't do anything about. So it was annoying getting muscle injuries. With all the modern tech we have now at training, and how closely everything is monitored, you shouldn't be picking up muscle injuries like that."
As for Dublin's relegation earlier in the year, with five losses from seven Division 1 league games, McCarthy put it down to a poor mindset.
"I definitely think there was a hangover after the (2021) semi-final loss against Mayo," he said. "We probably didn't address it quickly enough.
"The league campaign was a poor campaign by us, a lot of players had to have a hard look at themselves because we just weren't performing, end of."
* James McCarthy was speaking at the launch of Dublin GAA sponsors AIG's new 'Injury Cash' product. Research shows that huge numbers of people are left out of pocket due to injuries suffered playing sport at non-elite level. See aig.ie/injurycash
