Shooting star Rock ready to roll
But there are strong grounds for that argument.
With two point contributions in each of his five Championship appearances from the bench this summer, the Ballymun Kickhams forward is this year rivalling Kevin McManamon as the county’s super sub, even if it’s a moniker he doesn’t enjoy.
“He’s only got the last 25 minutes or so in the last two games,” said Rock senior, who last weekend won his own All-Ireland title with Stabannon Parnells on the golf course in Waterford.
“Up to the Leinster final, he was getting 10 minutes. He’s been playing well in training and scoring regularly. It’s part of his game, he’s a natural scorer.
“Kevin, on the other hand, started well in the league campaign. He’s not just a goal-getter either. It gets to Dean a bit because he doesn’t want to be a super sub. He wants to be in the team.”
At least he’s seeing some game-time. Under Pat Gilroy, he was selected in panels only to be cut before the Championship.
However, Ballymun’s run through Dublin and Leinster last season to an All-Ireland final in March brought on his confidence.
“Dean will tell you, after the knock back he got last year his one aim was to go and win the championship with Ballymun. Paul Curran and Ken Robertson saw a couple of things in him and Kickhams just took off with Dean playing his part. He’s physically stronger than he was two years ago. Like everything in life people need to put an arm around him and that’s what Curran did. I hope that’s what Jim Gavin would be doing too because Dean has a lot going for himself.”
Rock may be biased but he recognised his son’s potential. “Last year he helped Dublin win the O’Byrne Cup. They beat an understrength Kildare team in the final but he scored 2-3 and laid on the pass for the winning goal for Philly McMahon. He was top scorer in that as well as for the 21s when they went all the way and was top scorer for Ballymun in Dublin, Leinster and the All-Ireland. I’m delighted for him because I know the work he puts in and the want for success he has. Once he comes on you know he can make an impact. At this stage, I never have any doubts about him because he knows his own ability. He would feel he has a central role to play. ”
What about Dean looking for some advice from his famous father? “If he has something on his mind he’ll say it. I would be a little laidback and wouldn’t be fussed and Dean is similar. His knowledge of the game is a hell of a lot better than mine ever was.”
