Serious commitment from Rock.
Dean Rock tried to block Derry’s Shane McGuigan’s shot while he was receiving treatment from the Dublin physiotherapist.
The forward had injured his ankle after colliding with his own teammate and falling on it awkwardly, so the physio came onto the pitch to treat him.
The game was only five minutes old and there was yet to be a point on the scoreboard, but with Dublin down to 14 active men on the pitch, Derry had a slight advantage.
Shane McGuigan bombs forward and slots over the first score of the game to give Derry an early lead and get the game flowing at last.
When you watch a replay of the point however, you can see Rock manourvering himself away from the physio who is having a look at his injury, and he tries to block down the shot.
That’s the level of commitment that fans love to see, but it proved to be his last involvement in the game as he was forced off with his injury.
#DUBvDER 05:40 nóim @DubGAAOfficial 0-00@Doiregaa 0-01
An céad scór aimsithe ag Shane McGuigan!! @Doiregaa
Great point for Derry 😀
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV @GAA_BEO | #AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/CE6dVpV7BQ
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 2, 2023
Ciaran Kilkenny was brought on in his place, and with Paul Mannion and Brian Howard also on the bench, the capital aren’t short in options up front.
Rock didn’t start the last game of the league, and was substituted in his team’s defeat to Derry earlier in the season, so today was an opportunity for the Ballymun man to stake his claim at a starting jersey.
Related links:
- Dean Rock vs Cormac Costello Dessie Farrell has a huge decision to make this season
- Darran O’Sullivan thinks Stephen Cluxton’s Dublin return will be “sideshow”
- Gareth McKinless has the kind of impact that all subs dream of as Derry beat Dublin
- Rory Gallagher reveals the two things that he demands from his Derry players
- Chrissy McKaigue opens up on losing Derry captaincy to Conor Glass
