Dublin 0-16 Louth 1-06
No game time for the great man but Dublin's return to Division 1 in 2024 was marked by the presence of Stephen Cluxton in the matchday squad for the first time in 27 months.
The Dubs got away from Louth at Croke Park to secure a place in the Division 2 final against Derry on the day that Cluxton made a surprise return.
But it was the sight of 41-year-old Cluxton participating in the goalkeepers' warm-up session to the right of Hill 16 drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the Dubs supporters.
Like football fans around the country, they had believed the eight-time All-Ireland title winner had played his last game for the county when he didn't return for the 2021 season.
However behind the scenes Farrell was working to get the Blues legend back involved.
And, following the return of Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion to the panel, Cluxton was a late inclusion in the matchday panel for today's game, along with Paddy Small.
Mannion, who hadn't seen action due to injury, was also included on the bench for the first time since announcing his return.
And he marked his return with a point late on and Farrell will feel things are coming together for his panel ahead of the championship.
In a tight, tense first half at Croke Park, the Dubs didn't have it all their own way as the Wee County, buoyed by a four-game winning streak, sought to complete a remarkable charge through the leagues from Division 4 to the top tier.
But it was a different story after the break as the Dubs made use of the wind advantage and Louth only managed three scores - including the contest's only goal, well taken by Liam Jackson.
While Louth lined out according to their team list, the Dubs made two changes with Eoin Murchin in for Tom Lahiff and Colm Basquel for Dean Rock.
Mickey Harte's side made the brighter start playing with the wind and Ciaran Downey scored the opening point.
However the Wee County were also wasteful at times with their opportunities as they dominated the aerial exchanges in midfield.
Conall McKeever eased past Davy Byrne in the 18th minute and his shot beat Dubs keeper David O'Hanlon but rebounded to safety off the far post.
Dublin certainly weren't holding back and scored a couple of well constructed first half points through Basquel and Seán Bugler.
Con O'Callaghan should have moved the Blues four clear in the 33rd minute when James McCarthy put him through but he blazed over and Downey reduced the deficit to a point at the break with a free.
Nevertheless the Dubs threatened to run riot early in the second half, with Brian Fenton starting a quick-fire six point scoring sequence that saw the men from the capital race into a 0-10 to 0-4 lead in just six minutes.
Louth needed a lifeline and it came from Liam Jackson's precise low finish from his brother Tom's assist.
The experienced McCarthy struck a superb point at the Canal End in response but O'Callaghan should have done better as he unsuccessfully tried to put a goal on a plate for Cormac Costello.
Costello's free soon after made it 0-12 to 1-4 but Louth were inches away from a second goal just before the hour when Conor Grimes flashed a shot just wide.
But the job was done for Dublin, who missed late goal chances by O'Callaghan and Paddy Small - whose effort was cleared off the line by Peter Lynch.
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