If there is any downside whatsoever to Ballymun Kickhams making the AIB All-Ireland club football final, set for St Patrick’s Day, it’s the possibility that some players might be missing their chance with Dublin in the Allianz Football league as manager Jim Gavin looks to maintain the Dubs’ unbeaten run when hosting Kildare in Croke Park on Sunday.
With three wins from three rounds, the increasing quality of their panel has impressed, with players such as Jonny Cooper, Kevin O’Brien, Jack McCaffrey and Ciarán Kilkenny all stepping into the limelight, and with that nailing down regular starting places.
Meanwhile, players like Dean Rock (below) one of the stars of Ballymun Kickhams, have to wait their turn, as all eyes remain for now on the ultimate club prize.
But Rock is perfectly content to give the club his complete focus, even if that means being extra patient for his chance with Dublin.
“Dublin are flying at the minute, it’s great to see, and there’s real strength in depth there at the minute,” said Rock, speaking at the AIB provincial club awards, after being voted the best in the Leinster football championship.
“They are going very well so far, so definitely it’s something to look forward to.”
Not that Rock assumes he will just walk on to the Dublin panel, once his club duties are complete: he was in fact called in around this time last year, then let go for the summer, and having just turned 23 last week, may have to earn a few more stripes.
He has scored 0-23 for Ballymun since they’ve come out of the Dublin championship, in the four wins over Mullingar Shamrocks, Sarsfields from Kildare, Portlaoise, then Dr Crokes from Killarney in the All-Ireland semi-final – but he realises too that Dublin’s current crop of forwards are playing exceptionally well, inspired by Bernard Brogan’s superb vein of form.
“I think Jim actually said earlier in the week that the Ballymun lads would be at a disadvantage, having not been there. That’s fair enough. There’s a team gelling that’s there at the minute. But, it can only be good if we do come back in, we can make a bit of an impact, because we’ve been winning games, and we’re full of confidence.
Your pocket
“And for sure it would be nice to come back in with an All-Ireland medal in your pocket and that could only be good for the squad. It will be difficult getting into the forwards. It’s a great forward line. But that’s the challenge you want . . .”
There is the realisation too that what Rock is currently experiencing with Ballymun, the club he joined at under-six grade thanks to his father, Barney, is so utterly special and unique that for now Dublin can simply wait, no matter how well they’re playing.
“It’s like anything, you just have to take your chance whenever it comes . . . .I wouldn’t swap my position for anything. This is the experience of a lifetime, the chance to win an All-Ireland with your club, and the players you grew up with. I still think that is the best thing you could ever achieve in football, and definitely the best experience I’ve ever had in my football career.”
Rock was joined at yesterday’s AIB awards by six fellow first-time winners, two more of whom, Senan Kilbride from St Brigid’s in Roscommon and Ciarán Slevin from Leinster hurling champions Kilcormac-Killoughey, are also looking forward to club final day.
2012 AIB Provincial Player Award Winners — FOOTBALL – Connacht: Senan Kilbride (St Brigid’s, Roscommon) Leinster: Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams, Dublin) Munster: Brian Looney (Dr Crokes, Kerry) Ulster: David McKenna (Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh) HURLING – Leinster: Ciarán Slevin (Kilcormac-Killoughey, Offaly) Munster: Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary) Ulster: Eddie McCloskey (Loughgiel Shamrocks, Antrim) * No award for Connacht given automatic qualification 2012 Coaching and Development Awards: Seán Kelly (Dunderry GAA), Dominic McKinley (Loughgiel GAA).
