BALLYMUN KICKHAMS BOSS Paul Curran believes it is ‘a no-brainer’ as to whether Dublin manager Jim Gavin will recall Dean Rock to his squad for the 2013 campaign.
Rock was the star in Ballymun Kickhams victory in Monday night’s Dublin county final against Kilmacud Crokes in Parnell Park when he struck seven points in their 1-12 to 0-14 victory.
The success capped off a year where Rock also impressed in February when lining out on the DCU team that won the O’Byrne Cup final against Kildare, when he struck 2-3, and the Sigerson Cup decider against NUI Maynooth, when he grabbed 0-4.
Rock featured for Dublin during the National League but his last appearance was when he was brought on as a substitute in the defeat to Mayo in Castlebar at the end of March. He was then dropped off the Dublin senior squad by former manager Pat Gilroy in May.
Yet Rock, who previously worked under new Dublin senior supremo Gavin during the county’s 2010 All-Ireland U21 winning campaign, has been tipped for a recall in the wake of superb club form.
“He was dropped off the panel in May and Dublin’s loss was our gain because he has been immense for us in league and championship,” said 1995 Dublin All-Ireland winner Curran.
“There are a lot of players on the Dublin panel last year – with all due respect they are not in the same league as Dean Rock. This year and last year that he should be out there.
“It’s a no brainer. He has to be back in. This was a big year for him because he had a disappointing championship for us last year towards the end but he has been outstanding.”
Rock himself is hopeful that he can now benefit from the ‘open slate’ with the Dublin team.
“It’s an open slate now with the Dublin senior team as well. Jim is a good man, he gives everyone a fair crack of the whip. I worked with Jim for three years at Under-21. I’m sure if he’s interested in me he will give me a call.
“Some managers will like you, some managers don’t. It’s just part and parcel of it. We are moving on to 2013, it is a new year for me and a new year for Dublin so hopefully it goes well.”
Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Rock’s immediate focus will be on the Leinster club championship with Ballymun Kickhams facing a quarter-final date with Westmeath’s Mullingar Shamrocks on Sunday week November 11th.
After the emotion of winning their first county title in 27 years, Curran is hopeful they can now make an impact on the provincial stage.
“It’s extremely emotional, we had a few people passing away this year who were very important in the club. These guys are a tremendous bunch of players. They’re as committed as I have known and I have worked with a good few teams. I am delighted for them.
“The talent has been there. It hasn’t been a magic wand or anything. It’s just try to organise it. They’ve been a very successful bunch underage.
“This is an extremely difficult county to win so we’ll be quite happy to represent the county in Leinster. We will take this very seriously.”
