Louth Footballers spend a short period at the centre of the GAA world

“And I saw a man’s name on the substitutes there who I’d rather he had stayed retired,” chuckled Louth manager Mickey Harte, reacting to Stephen Cluxton’s return to the navy blue of the Dublin panel.

What the reappearance means to Dublin will not be known until the summer. Louth could end up facing the goalkeeping icon in between the posts in a Leinster final if both sides keep up their end of the bargain.

The fact Louth were there when the revelation occurred is significant. Instead of being on the outside looking in at the GAA world, Louth were right there in the eye of the storm, relevant as opponents, there on merit.

Harte is no stranger to dealing with and using returning hero’s with devastating effect. The resurrection of Stephen O’Neill and his manipulation of Peter Canavan’s profile as and impact sub was one of many masterstrokes.

With goalkeeping travails of his own this season, Harte feels Dublin would be foolish not to welcome Cluxton back with open arms. For what he brings on and off the field is hard to ignore.

“He is the master of goalkeeping in the last 10 years and at All-Ireland level, so why would you not want a player of that experience and ability in your team or around your team even?

“It can only be good for Dublin that he’s there in any shape or form and it’s a kind of position that you don’t have to be 23 to play in. You can be higher up the age scale and be very valuable.”

Having complimented Louth’s performance on the day, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell’s post match press conference was understandably all about Cluxton, rather than the promotion clinching win.

“We had a vacancy there and Stephen has always said that if he could ever help us out in any way, he’d be willing to do that. We’re delighted to have him in the mix. 

"He’s always been Dublin through and through and when the time calls, he’d step forward.”

That time could be the 30th of July for the enigmatic net-minder and that’s exactly where Louth hope to be as well.