If Dublin and Kerry are going to provide a traditional All Ireland Senior Football Final meeting this September in the last final to be held in that traditional month, they may look back on April as when they learnt clues from some quality sparring.
Last year, the Dubs crushed the Kingdom by 11 points in the League Final, but the All Ireland Semi Final months later was much closer as Kerry had Dublin on the rack before Jim Gavin's side edged home by 2 points.
Kerry just can't get Dublin's number after three decades of dominance in big games.
There was the 2011 All Ireland Final and the Stephen Cluxton kick that heralded Dublin's current rule. There was the 2013 classic, the 2015 All Ireland decider which went to the Dubs in the rain, and last year's games. Paul Mannion even saved the Dubs' bacon in Tralee lately.
So the 4pm meeting of Dublin and Kerry next Sunday at Croke Park is one to look forward to with interest.
Of course it could all have turned out differently today had results gone the other way.
Monaghan had Dublin on the ropes, but the unbeaten run for the Metropolitans is now at 36 following Jack McCaffrey's late winning goal. Donegal blew their chance in Mayo. And Kerry got the running rail in their emphatic win over Tyrone. Eamonn Fitzmaurice will enjoy his Sunday night.
Also in action at HQ next weekend will be Galway and Kildare, who will play in the Division 2 decider. They had their own curtain raiser today, which Galway won by a point.
It's great to see Louth in a national final, and they will face Tipperary for the Division 3 trophy next Saturday, a game which will be preceded by the Division 4 contest involving Wexford and Westmeath.
Watch the best moments of last Croke Park Dublin v Kerry showdown here:
