DEAN ROCK HIT 1-9 for his club Ballymun Kickhams on Wednesday night and is back in Dublin manager Jim Gavin’s plans ahead of Sunday week’s Leinster quarter-final against Laois.
Rock hasn’t kicked a ball for Dublin since last September’s All-Ireland final due to injury. He made a major impact with his scoring contributions off the bench during Dublin’s march to 2013 Sam Maguire glory.
A knee injury sustained in Ballymun Kickhams county final replay loss to St Vincent’s last November has sidelined Rock ever since and he underwent an operation to rectify the problem.
“It’s great for the individual player to get back in such a quick time,” outlined Gavin. “He has put in a lot of work behind the scenes. That is a credit to himself and the medical staff.
“He is in great physical shape and mentally as well to come back so strong so it is very promising for him. We missed him during the league and it is great to have him back now but like every player he needs to fight for his place now.
“He was always with us in every session we did, he was there in the background and we could all see the work he was doing of the pitch. Mentally he showed the resolve that he has as did all the players who are injured.
“Kevin (O’Brien) and Ciaran (Kilkenny) are working hard on their recovery and it is a testament to all the Gaelic footballers we have we have seen Colm O’Neill is a great example. Their passion for the game is infectious.”
