ROCK OF STAGES

Dean feels Dubs don't have to fret too much at this point in the campaign

- KARL O'KANE

DEAN ROCK says he's "very confident" about the season ahead - despite Dublin's weekend defeat in Derry.

The Dubs struggled against Clare the week before, coming from six points back to win by one late on at Croke Park, having also struggled to put Cork away in the previous round in Division 2.

Talk outside the camp is that their 'aura' is gone, and the bigger teams now believe they can beat them.

But Dublin still have some big hitters to get up to full speed again, including Jack McCaffrey (inset), Paul Mannion, Brian Howard, James McCarthy and Paddy Small.

"You always feel like we are going to win every game we play still, and I don't think that has changed," says seven time All-Ireland winner Rock.