I think that DXB rumour is laughable, talk about wishful thinking.
SFO sounds more plausible, it has a good demand, has the option of connection out of SFO to Pacific destinations. And if EI schedule it right the DUB-SFO will depart in the afternoon and be up to 50% full of transfers from the European arrives. Latest stats from EI says 34% of their total long-haul pax are transfers.
In relation to the earlier question I have also heard that EI has sacked 6-8 cabin crew. (Not sure if it is a dull crew) Apparently they were on a badly delayed (>7 hours) flight SNN-BOS which resulted in them getting to the hotel in NYC at 0300 local. (SNN crew work SNN-BOS, then fly to New York in order to operate the following days JFK-SNN. The SNN-JFK crew do the opposite) They insisted they were entitled to 18 hours rest, EI said 12 hours was all they could get. EI crews usually get 20-24 hours in US, with a reduction to 18 in delays. The crew were suspended on their return to SNN.
Turns out the recent LRC ruling doesn't make reference to USA rest periods in disruptions, so EI have sacked them as an example to their other cabin crew. Nice.