Cullen ensured the Dubs were fresh

DEAN ROCK credits the work of Bryan Cullen as strength and conditioning coach for keeping Dublin much fresher this summer, as they completed their three-in-a-row. And he reckons that Ballymun Kickhams will now benefit from that as they gear up for their Dublin senior football Championship semi-final against Kilmacud Crokes next weekend.

‘I think I am a lot fresher than this time last year and a lot of the lads feel extremely fresh now,’ Rock said.

‘It’s the same time for Philly [McMahon], [John] Smally, Evan [Comerford] and James [McCarthy].

‘We have all come back from a hard season after winning the All-Ireland and we are all in really good shape.

‘In previous years, we have come back with some sort of niggle or injury, but everyone is perfect.

‘That is due to the fact we came back a little bit later in the season and then we managed to peak at the right time and win the All-Ireland and that was obviously the main objective.

‘Great credit to Bryan Cullen and all the lads for planning that one out.’