Rock sets sights on Rebel challenge

Thu, 11th July 2019

The 'Super 8s' might be a three-game series but Dean Rock only has eyes on Dublin's first game.

The Dubs face Cork in this Saturday night's All-Ireland SFC Group 2 Phase 1 clash at Croke Park (7.0).

Nothing else is relevant at this juncture

"There's a lot of energy around the group. Everyone is very excited about the weeks ahead and in particular the first game," said Dean.

"This is the business end and it's the time of year everyone wants to play football and we're just looking forward to the challenges ahead and in particular that first game.

"Its important that everyone is injury-free and hitting form at the right time and hopefully we can produce performances in those games."

The Ballymun Kickhams sharp-shooter picked up a hamstring injury in the lead-in to the Leinster Championship but came off the bench to telling effect in the provincial decider against Meath.

Dean kicked three points from play and converted a free as Dublin secured their ninth Delaney Cup in-a-row.

"The Leinster Championship is something we take seriously and enjoy winning so celebrations were great with family and friends and team-mates also.

"We enjoyed our couple of days, back on the training field now so just ready to go for the Super 8s," added Dean.

"We know we are in a very privileged position representing the Dublin jersey and we take nothing for granted and enjoy every competition we play in.

"So the Leinster Championship is a competition we have enjoyed over the last number of years and been very lucky to be so successful in the last number of years also."

Commenting on his impact-sub role against the Royal County Dean stressed: "That's been a massive part of our success in the last number of years, the strength of the squad.

"I was just delighted to get back out on the field, get back from injury and put my stamp on it and just go out because I love playing in the jersey, love playing for Dublin and loved playing in the Leinster final."

DUBS TO WEAR 20x20 JERSEYS

AIG Ireland recently announced that the Federation of Irish Sport’s campaign and movement 20x20 ‘If She Can’t See It, She Can’t Be It’ logo will replace their logo on the front of the Dublin GAA jersey for an upcoming ladies football, camogie and football fixture.

The ladies footballers will wear the limited edition jersey against Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Championship this Saturday, July 13. The Dublin footballers will also wear the jersey this Saturday, July 13 during their All-Ireland SFC Quarter-final Group Phase 1 against Cork. The camogie team will don the jersey on July 20 during their All-Ireland Senior Championships Group 2 match against Clare at home.

Just as AIG is supporting and promoting #EffortIsEqual across Dublin GAA from grassroots activities to the intercounty stage, it is actively helping promote women in sport nationally with its support of the 20x20 movement.

AIG’s support of female sport goes beyond Gaelic Games through their sponsorship of the AIG Irish Ladies Golfing Union Cups & Shields, AIG Irish Open Tennis Championships and AIG Forza Irish Badminton International. Internationally, AIG also sponsors the New Zealand Black Ferns rugby team and in golf, the Women’s British Open.

20x20 is an all-inclusive movement to shift Ireland’s cultural perception of women’s sport by 2020 with:

* 20% increase in media coverage of women in sport
* a 20% increase in female participation at all levels of sport
* a 20% increase in attendance at women’s games and events

Everyone can get behind the 20x20 movement by pledging to do just one small thing to help start this giant shift for female sport. To learn more about 20x20 log onto http://www.20x20.ie/