DUBS' BOAT MIGHT NOT ROCK

Dean feels champs could calmly sail on

- PAT NOLAN

A DUBLIN exodus is far from inevitable, says Dean Rock, who insists there are "a lot more All-Irelands in that group".

In the aftermath of last month's All-Ireland final victory over Kerry - which saw James McCarthy, Stephen Cluxton and Mick Fitzsimons win a record ninth Celtic Cross, with Rock one of a number who moved on to eight - there was the feeling of an end of an era, with a spate of retirements anticipated.

It wasn't a media construct either, with McCarthy hinting strongly at it and Rock saying that his match-clinching free "probably could be my last act playing for Dublin" and that it was "certainly a nice way to go out".

But, with the dust having settled, Rock is postponing any decision on his Dublin future while in the throes of another club campaign with Ballymun Kickhams and appears to be warming to the idea of another season in 2024.

"It's just the thing in you that you feel that you can be better again next year," said the 33-year-old.

"I certainly feel that physically I'm in a really good position.

"I'm physically in great shape, I'm able to perform at that level, at my age now, and I'll certainly be able to do it again next year.

"I've got the time and the job that will facilitate me to do the training that I need to do to get to that level.