Cormac Costello has hailed Con O'Callaghan's eye-catching return as a game-changer for Dublin's championship hopes.
Having been absent for a disappointing League campaign that saw the Dubs relegated, O'Callaghan burst onto the championship stage with 1-6 against hapless Wexford last Saturday.
The Cuala hitman's tally was greater on the day that he managed in last year's championship in total.
Forward colleague Costello got a close-up view of the 26-year-old's headline-making comeback at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
He was delighted to see O'Callaghan back doing what he does best as Meath hover into view as Leinster semi-final opponents on Sunday week.
"Big time," Costello stressed. "Con was obviously out injured for the league campaign.
"He’s somebody who is a massive player for us and you saw at the weekend what he can do. We're just delighted to have Con fully fit and back on the pitch.
"He’s a very direct player, he’s extremely strong on the ball."
Aside from his process in front of the posts, Costello points to O'Callaghan's ability to create chances and gaps for others as a major plus point for Dublin as they look to bounce back from last year's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Mayo.
"He’s a team player as well - it’s very nice playing with Con because you get opportunities," stated Costello.
"He’s somebody you can feed off. He’s an unselfish player and he’s somebody that brings you into the game.
"He’s a big leader for us on the pitch, a big presence and somebody we are glad to have back."
Brian Fenton was another key Dublin player back in form last weekend.
Like O'Callaghan, he amassed more points on Saturday - five in the midfielder's case - than he did in last year's championship.
For Costello, Fenton's Rolls Royce display was confirmation that Dublin are back on track after the inconsistency of their League form.
"He was excellent at the weekend - I think that stems from the team performance at the end of the day," said the Whitehall Colmcille man.
"Our team performances across the League campaign, we were OK in patches but across the 70 minutes, we weren’t good enough.
"Individual performances have improved and Brian showed how good he is on Saturday night.
"Being relegated is very disappointing. We were glad to get back out there and get a good performance in, and that’s ultimately what we did down in Wexford Park.
"It was nice to get the win under our belt. We wouldn't be listening to the noise. When you're not winning games, you know when you're not in a good position.
"We tried something like maybe 50 different players during the League. There was a lot of squad rotation, a lot of lads were out with injuries, we were trying to try out new systems of play.
"Individual performances probably weren't good enough and that consistency piece - we were more concerned about that as opposed to looking outside and thinking of a crisis.
"The challenge now for us is against Meath and that’s where our focus is."
Costello explained that, in hindsight, there was an understanding within the Dublin camp that the inconsistency that cost them a place in a seventh successive All-Ireland final took root early in 2021.
"It wasn’t just the Mayo game," he recalled. "You saw it there in the League, our second half performance against Meath last year, our Leinster campaign.
"Throughout, we weren’t good enough, weren’t consistent enough throughout the four quarters as it was, with the water breaks.
"But look, we analysed the League and looked at where we can do better. We know it's a consistency piece. All our focus is just on championship."
There has been criticism of the decision to play both provincial semi-finals as a double header in Croke Park.
"We have no control over where the fixtures are played, we are just thankful to be through to the next round," said Costello.
"Don’t get me wrong, any time you put on the jersey is a privilege and we enjoyed the trip down to Wexford Park, the atmosphere in Wexford Park was brilliant.
"We're lucky that we have a good support behind us and the supporters travel as well.
"So whether we are in Croke Park or wherever the match might be fixed the Dublin supporters come out in their masses and always bring a great atmosphere."
After the famine comes the feast for Costello.
Having made his Dublin debut in 2013, the free-taker only started two championship games in the glorious era that followed over six years.
Still a seven-time All-Ireland winner, Costello has now started the last five championship games for his county under Dessie Farrell.
"I’m really enjoying it," said the 27-year-old.
"You want to play as much as you can and it’s something I've been lucky enough to get the opportunity to do these last few games, so I’m happy out.
"You want to be playing. If you’re on the team you're pushing to start or play as long as you can.
"But I was under no illusions that I was in a very privileged position where there were lads not on the team or lads who weren't coming on as a subs - so any time you get to play you're very thankful for.
"I’m thankful I got a few starts and we’ll see what happens over the summer."
Costello was often sprung from the bench by Jim Gavin during the six in a row years and then by Farrell in his first year without becoming the regular fixture in the forward line that he has now become.
In those frustrating moments did he ever consider that he would be a starter for any other team in the land?
"No," Costello smiled. "I’m a Dub, Dublin born and bred and I only ever had aspirations of playing for Dublin so I never thought like that.
"The competition is so great as well with serious players and seriously talented forwards have come into the team."
He describes the three points he scored to secure the All-Ireland final replay win over Mayo in 2016 as a "massive highlight", but insists he didn't believe it would be the springboard for a more prominent role.
"It's something I look back on fondly," Costello said. "You're sent on to do a job, you have to park your own individual goals for team goals.
"Whether I came on as a sub or didn’t come on at all, or I started a game, you're given a job and you're trying to execute the game plan and the task you've been given.
"It’s something I just focus on, ‘OK, what am I being asked to do and can I do it to the best of my ability', and that’s what I’ll do.
"You have to kind of be right mentally for every single game, no matter who you're playing or where you're playing. You have to have that mentality of giving it your best, giving it your all."
After those seven Celtic Crosses, after winning minor and under-21 All-Irelands, Costello finds himself with a new challenge - to help restore Dublin to the top of the pile.
"Yeah, definitely," he commented. "I’ve been very lucky, involved in some really good teams and we have been successful.
"But we’ve lost two All-Ireland semi-finals, lost league games, minor and under-21.
"It happens in sport, you can’t win every game. It’s about how you deal with it. You look at the next challenge ahead, and focus on that."
