Rock of ages aims to make Dublin a six-hit
Ace free-taker determined to steer boss Farrell to maiden glory
IN a year that pertinent figures relative to health and wellbeing have quite rightly dominated the airwaves and television screens, there is perhaps one rather telling sporting statistic that might just have slipped under the radar.
Yet it could prove to have telling implications in tomorrow night’s eagerly-awaited All-ireland football final between Dublin and Mayo.
No strangers to re-writing the record books either collectively or on an individual front, Dessie Farrell’s side will go into the game looking for their sixth successive All-ireland crown and buoyed by having the county’s highest-ever scorer in league and championship football as a shining beacon in their attack.
Dean Rock took just five minutes of his team’s recent Division One league tie against Meath to pop in the goal that eased him past the legendary Jimmy Keaveney in the all-time Dublin top scorers rankings by bringing his then total to a scarcely credible 17-450.
If that doesn’t serve as a warning to Mayo, it’s difficult to determine what will.
In the Dubs’ stroll to yet another Leinster title last month, Rock recorded 1-16 in three game which, by his standards, was a modest return.
But the Mayo defence will need to be on their best behaviour tomorrow night if they are to prevent Rock from hurting them where it matters most — on the scoreboard.
Having inherited his free-taking skills from his father Barney, who won an All-ireland medal with Dublin in 1983, Rock (30) has honed his skills to perfection during Dublin’s lengthy reign at the top.
And despite the impressive figures he continues to return on a match by match basis, Rock is unswerving in his adherence to his own rigid free-taking practice regime.
“I still involve my dad,” he smiles. “I never take anything for granted in football. Each year I can see small areas in which I can improve. That’s the challenge and that’s what keeps me coming back every year.”
Yet if Rock’s scoring exploits have already hoisted him into the history books, he remains the quintessential team player, something that was highlighted in the recent All-ireland semi-final victory over Cavan when, even though well-placed himself, he opted to offload the ball to Robbie Mcdaid, who finished to the net.
Tomorrow he will be looking for his third medal in a truncated season in which action has been sparse and opportunities limited.
However, this has not prevented Rock from helping Ballymun Kickhams land another Dublin championship title before going on to pocket yet another Leinster gong. And although he has six All-ireland medals to his name — he was introduced as a substitute for Ciaran Kilkenny in the 2013 final win over Mayo — he is still thirsting for more success at the top level.
Even the prospect of once again performing in a deserted stadium does not deter Rock and his fellow Dubs.
“Obviously we want to keep a hold on ‘Sam’,” he explains.
“It is never an easy prize to win and we are always challenging ourselves to do better.
“This time round the test for us is to deliver for Dessie Farrell in his first All-ireland final as team manager.”
Former Antrim player Dominic Mckinley has been appointed as new Derry hurling manager in tandem with Cormac Donnelly.
Mckinley, a member of the Saffrons side that reached the 1989 All-ireland final only to lose to Tipperary, was part of his county’s management team along with Neal Pedan, Gary O’kane and Terance Mcnaughton in recent years.
Mckinley — whose son Conor is also a former Antrim player — will now have the task of reviving Derry’s hurling fortunes.
‘I can still see small areas in which I can improve’