It's about being in the draw - Brennan on return

Dublin manager Ger Brennan said his side's priority was simply "getting the job done" after they overcame Cavan at Breffni Park to book their place in the All-Ireland Round Three draw.

Brennan, back on the sideline after serving a 12-week suspension, oversaw a composed second-half display from his team as they pulled clear of Cavan to end the Breffni men's championship campaign.

He insisted the result was all that mattered at this stage of the competition.

"It's just about being in the draw, that's the only thing that matters," Brennan told BBC Sport NI.

"We'll get who we get. It could be Armagh, it could be Donegal, it could be anyone — they're all tough."

Reflecting on his return to the dugout, Brennan said he had been focused purely on the football rather than the wider narrative surrounding his absence.

He refused to be drawn into the circumstances of his ban in detail, but reiterated his belief that aspects of the current disciplinary and review process need reform.

"I issued a statement through my solicitor last week," he said.

"I don't have a whole lot more to add to it other than to thank the people who supported me.

"I think there has to be a bit more opportunity for a review process — similar to rugby — because I don't think the current set-up is fit for purpose as it stands."

Brennan also revealed that GAA president Jarlath Burns contacted him personally last week to apologise following comments made during the controversy surrounding his 12-week suspension.

"Jarlath rang me last week, and we had a lovely conversation on the phone," Brennan said.

"He was sincere, honest and he apologised. I accepted it."

"To be fair to Jarlath, he's done a lot of great work, and he picked up the phone and gave me a call. He acknowledged what he acknowledged, I accepted it, and we moved on."

When asked about the disciplinary process that led to his suspension, Brennan suggested there should be greater discretion within the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) when sanctions are applied and reviewed.

"There needs to be some sort of discretion there to consider mitigating circumstances," he said.

"It's a tough job for referees, and a lot is going on, but I think there has to be an opportunity for review when things happen."

Brennan insisted he did not allow his suspension to distract from Dublin's preparations for the trip to Breffni.

"You're just trying to stay focused on the job at hand and ensure you're thinking straight for the players," he said.

"Cavan made a lot of changes from the Monaghan game to the Westmeath game, and there was a bit of uncertainty around who they might start. It was about trying to keep sharp in the first 15 minutes to ensure we had our matchups and instructions right. I was focused on the job at hand."

Dublin were forced to work hard in a tight opening half, but pulled away after the interval with a series of key contributions from the bench and a clinical edge in attack.

Brennan was particularly pleased with the impact of his substitutes in the second half.

"The subs that came in kept the energy levels high and added value when they came in," he said.

"We probably haven't had that impact from the bench in some of our recent games, so that's a positive."

Con O'Callaghan once again proved decisive, finishing with a major scoring return of 1-9, while Ross McGarry and a returning Colm Basquel also made significant contributions as Dublin took control after the restart.

"It was just about being clinical," he added. "We probably didn't get everything right in the first half, but we stayed in the game and improved as it went on."

"We are to get a home draw, so I would love to play in Parnell Park."

The Dublin boss now turns his attention to Monday's Round 3 draw, with potential heavyweight opponents awaiting his side as the championship progresses, with Kerry, Donegal and Armagh all up for a potential match-up.