Dean Rock reveals how Dublin peaked to perfection

Dean Rock believes a later return to inter-county action for Dublin’s frontline stars in 2017 helped Jim Gavin’s side “peak” to claim their third title in a row.

Much was made of the Dublin’s decision to schedule their team holiday for the first week of the year last January, with the vast majority of Jim Gavin’s starters absent from the O’Byrne Cup. A reintegrated panel later stuttered at times – recording three draws – during the divisional stages of a National League campaign that ultimately resulted in a final defeat to Kerry.

However, Rock believes Dublin’s High-Performance manager Bryan Cullen and Gavin’s backroom staff made a wise call with their precise planning. Already back in county club action – Rock kicked eight points for Ballymun in their Dublin SFC quarter-final win over St Brigid’s last weekend – the 27-year-old forward reckons Jim Gavin’s panel are still feeling the benefits of that call.