Curran says Rock more than ready for a role with Dublin

BARNEY ROCK stood aside and smiled as we flocked past the Dublin legend to question his son Dean. Rock’s inspirational 0-7 tally on Monday not only killed off Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin SFC final but it heralded a second coming of sorts for a 22-year-old burdened by one of the city’s most famous GAA surnames.

Rock won an under-21 All-Ireland medal in 2010 under the guidance of newly appointed senior manager, Jim Gavin. Others who featured in Monday’s final and that same under-21 side are his Ballymun team-mates James McCarthy and Ted Furman, along with Kilmacud’s Rory O’Carroll.

McCarthy and O’Carroll have since become mainstays in the Dublin defence while Rock was considered surplus to requirements in the past two summers.

O’Carroll is now considered one of the premier full backs in Ireland but he struggled to contain Rock in Kickhams’ memorable 1-12 to 0-14 victory. Rock’s four points from play went a long way to earning a meeting with Westmeath champions Mullingar Shamrocks on Sunday week in the Leinster Championship.

Such has been the consistency of the tall, mobile forward’s displays this past year that Ballymun manager and ex-Dublin star Paul Curran questioned why Pat Gilroy omitted him from the Dublin set-up last summer.

“We’ve all said that, this year and last year, that he should be there. There are a lot of players on the Dublin panel last year, with all due respect, that are not in the same league as Dean Rock,” said Curran. “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.

“You know 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 matches. That’s one of the reasons why we won. I think it is a no-brainer, he has to be back in.” It must also help that Rock and Gavin already have a three-year relationship at under-21 level.

“Some managers like you, some don’t,” said Rock. “That’s just the way it is. We are moving on to 2013 now so it is a new year for me and a new year for Dublin so hopefully it goes well. I’m sure if Jim is interested he will give me a call.”

The manner in which Rock, Furman, Shane Forde and 23-year-old livewire Jason Whelan tore into O’Carroll and other established Dublin backs like Cian O’Sullivan and Kevin Nolan should make it difficult for them not to be given a chance when intercounty training resumes in December.

“We got to use that bit of breeze in the first half. The plan was to kick it in on top of Shane. He’s a good target man, he’s scored about eight or nine goals this year between league and championship. It worked in this game again,” Rock added.

“It is an open slate now with the Dublin senior team. There are lads there who would have impressed Jim. Jim’s a good man, he gives everyone a fair crack of the whip.”

And what did his dad Barney think of witnessing his son replicate the success he experienced the last time Ballymun won a county title in 1985?

“Dad is dad, he’s grand, doesn’t get too worked up about games. We were out in the garden today kicking the ball around. He told me a few little things, like kicking through the 50s.”

Dean Rock did just that when the opportunity presented itself.

Now he is seeking the chance to finally showcase such ability in a Dublin jersey.