Michael Darragh MacAuley has revealed how Jim Gavin broke the shock news that he was stepping down as Dublin manager.
The Dublin players, fresh off winning a fifth consecutive All-Ireland title this year, thought that they were gathering for a team photo.
"It was documented that we had a team photo and we went out to the team photo which happens every year and there was no photographer," MacAuley told The Late Late Show.
"I was like 'there's something up here'.
"We went into the room and chairs were laid out in a circle and there was an ominous feel.
"He said his reasons that he is going to give over the reins to next man.
"He was very sincere."
"Dublin means a whole lot to Jim Gavin. He has always instilled those values into us as players and has never let us be self absorbed with the team and it has always been about the county and where we have come from.
"He spoke for about a half an hour or so."
Asked for the mood amongst the players after Gavin announced he was stepping down after seven years managing the senior team, Macauley said it was mixed emotions.
He said: "It was a bit of both. Obviously it is sad.
"Some people are scared of change and it is an end of an era, there's no point hiding from that. Of course it is an end of an era.
"I was a bit sad but the lads are pretty motivated athletes and able to turn things around pretty quick and are already looking at next year."
Maculey has been a vital cog for Gavin as Dublin have dominated inter-county football this decade.
And he believes the Clondalkin's record will see him remembered for a long time to come.
"His legacy speaks for itself," the 33-year-old said of Gavin.
"I'm sure there are a few statues coming soon.
"He deserves whatever he gets.
"What happened with that bunch of players over the last six of seven years was remarkable and he was the captain of that ship.
"If it was terribly the axe would have fallen on his head but it didn't and he deserves all the credit he gets."
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