All-Star Con O'Callaghan says the Dublin squad are delighted that Jim Gavin is set to stay on as manager of the five-in-a-row winning team.
Gavin had remained tight-lipped on his future ever since clinching a sixth All-Ireland title as manager, fuelling speculation that he was ready to step away from the Dublin inter-county side.
O'Callaghan spoke to Off The Ball's Will O'Callaghan after receiving his second All-Star in Dublin on Friday night and noted the importance of Gavin to the Dubs' success.
"What he has put in place it's not just a one or two-year thing that he has done," the 23-year old explained.
"He's been there six or seven years now and that culture – he doesn't like to admit it – but he's driving the whole thing from behind the scenes, so we are obviously delighted he's staying around."
However, the Cuala clubman added that Gavin's success is also a product of the team that he has built around him at Dublin.
"It's not just him, there is a brilliant background staff with Dec Darcy and Jason [Sherlock] and even Shane O'Hanlon.
"There are so many people, again you wouldn't see them in the media or on matchday but their contribution is massive to the team. Yeah, he has a really great group behind him as well."
"He doesn't like to admit it, but he's driving the whole thing from behind the scenes."
Dub All-Star Con O'Callaghan has been speaking to @willocallaghan about the importance of Jim Gavin staying on as manager and the influence of FOTY Stephen Cluxton🔵 pic.twitter.com/4WgxlDNuZw— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 2, 2019
While O'Callaghan had been one of the standout players of Dublin's historic campaign, it was Stephen Cluxton who was awarded Footballer of The Year, an award that O'Callaghan said was well-deserved for the veteran captain.
"I think he made his debut 18 years ago I was only five or whatever and even to be able to watch him. Even when Dublin weren't half as strong as they are now he was still incredible. The level of consistency he brings to training, to matches, his analysis: it's incredible. So, it's well deserved."
