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Dean Rock getting ready for another adventure

Prolific Dublin forward Dean Rock.

Prolific Dublin forward Dean Rock.

By Eoghan Tuohey

This is a Dublin side on the cusp of history, yet while breaking records is a positive domino-effect that comes as a result of an unbeaten run, it’s not something this panel dwells on or goes out to specifically achieve.

Prolific forward Dean Rock, though, is looking forward to a new challenge in 2019 following another successful and silverware laden campaign.

“It’s a nice position to be in but it’s certainly something we wouldn’t talk about as a group,” Rock says about the possibility of securing a fifth All Ireland title in a row.

“There’s some guys there who have been part of the group to win four in a row and some guys have just won their first one last year so consecutive All-Ireland’s isn’t something we’ve talked about as a group because it’s not fair on lads who weren’t there or who are just coming in fresh this year.

“We’ll just start fresh again next year and once 2018 is over those titles are almost taken away from and 2019 is a new year.”

This ability to park achievements from one season and immediately refocus all attention and drive on the coming year demonstrates the mental resolve of champions, and has played no small role in helping the side on their way to the position where they now stand.

“Never a group to rest on their laurels, Rock exudes the extraordinary levels of desire so associated with this current panel.

“The feeling has never changed for me and I know for the majority of the guys the feeling gets better and better each time because as the years go on you don’t know when your last game for Dublin is going to be or how many more opportunities you’re going to get so when you do get over the line it’s a major sense of accomplishment and achievement,” Rock adds.

Dean Rock celebrates after the 2018 All Ireland SFC Final win over Tyrone at Croke Park.

Dean Rock celebrates after the 2018 All Ireland SFC Final win over Tyrone at Croke Park.

“The guys you’ve worked with for nine or 10 months they’re your best friends so a feeling like that never gets dampened in any way.”

The depth of the squad and the famous conveyor belt of talent that seems to always be coming through are well known, and the Ballymun Kickhams clubman speaks positively about the current structures in place in terms of allowing for the continuous development of new players.

“There’s a lot of guys who have been blooded through the O’Byrne Cup and early rounds of the National League over the years and they’re the guys that shone most in the summer which was brilliant for the squad,” Rock states.

“Every year there’s new guys that come in and older lads that go so I’m sure there’ll be lads coming into the squad who’ll want to make the same impact as the lads who have done over the last 18 months or so. That brings freshness and competition and keeps everyone on their toes.

“That’s the nature of the game now you have to have about 30 guys who are able to step up and fill a whole host of positions and fit into game-plans and structures as best possible and if you’re not able to do that you won’t be picked in the squad.”

From his own perspective, Rock has been enjoying a much-deserved break following the exit of Ballymun from the Championship. An ever-demanding lifestyle, such a lengthy break is a rare occurrence for an inter-county footballer, particularly one from Dublin, so the five-time All-Ireland winner is taking the opportunity to recharge the batteries before the new campaign gets underway.

“Yeah I think we finished up our last game on Halloween night against Brigid’s in a League game so we got the guts of nine weeks off which is the first time that’s happened in my Dublin career so hopefully we’ll see the benefits of that next year,” Rock remarks. “It’s nice to have a bit of time to chill out and hang out with friends you haven’t seen in a long time.

“The best thing about the National League is that we’re able to travel to the country together and play in those away games. The memories that stand out the most over the last number of years are for example going down to Portlaoise and Nowlan Park and Healy Park last year they’re the best days for the supporters and the players so the more opportunities we get to play outside Croke Park or Parnell Park the better for us.”

Dean Rock was speaking at the AIG Skills Challenge on Monday evening.