Eight-time All-Ireland winner Dean Rock has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
The Ballymun Kickham’s player’s retirement statement was released by Dublin GAA this morning.
“The time has come for me to hang up the Blue jersey and end my playing career with the Dublin senior football team,” Rock wrote.
“I now step aside fulfilled, knowing that I made the most of the opportunity that was given to me.”
Rock – a son of former Dublin corner-forward Barney, who won an All-Ireland title with the capital in 1983 – made his inter-county debut under Pat Gilroy in the 2012 League campaign but only broke through properly the following year under his successor Jim Gavin.
After collecting his first All-Ireland medal as a substitute in 2013, he would go on to become an integral part of Dublin football’s greatest era, assuming free-taking duties during the six-in-a-row run from 2015 and 2020.
Dean Rock has this morning announced his retirement from inter-county football.
Thanks for everything, @Deanrock14 💙 pic.twitter.com/M2xi6kjQc4
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) January 16, 2024
He famously nailed the winning point in the memorable 2017 All-Ireland final win over Mayo and also holds the record for the fastest goal ever in an All-Ireland decider, slapping home the opener in the first play of the 2020 final.
Rock dropped out of the starting team in 2023 but succeeded in making an impact off the bench – scoring the only goal of the semi-final against Monaghan and tapping over a late point against Kerry in the final – as Dublin regained the All-Ireland crown after a two-year hiatus.
