“It may be my last time.”
Dublin heroes Dean Rock and James McCarthy have both hinted that today might be their last game for Dublin as they win All-Ireland final against Kerry.
McCarthy joins a new elite group alongside his teammates Mick Fitzsimmons and Stephen Cluxton, as they have now won nine All-Ireland titles, a new record.
The Ballymun man captained the team this year and was clearly emotional in his winning speech, admitting that the team has done a lot of soul searching in the past two years.
Speaking to RTE after the game, the evergreen defender revealed that it could be the last time he ever wears a Dublin jersey as a player.
Nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy said something felt different compared to the last "tough two years". pic.twitter.com/W7dMyvFYF6
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 30, 2023
“It may be my last time. I don’t know, I’ll have to reflect over the next few months. We went for it in every single game.
When it came to the crunch, players stepped up.”
Another teammate who has an embarrassing amount of All-Irelands in his pocket already is Dean Rock, and the clinical free-taker claimed that he may also retire from Dublin.
The sharp shooter came off the bench, and in typical Rock-fashion, kicked a pressured free kick to give his team a point cushion going into the final moments of the game.
Dean Rock celebrates his All-Ireland win with his daughter Sadie on her first birthday
"It's been a magical time" pic.twitter.com/exzd8RfJi9
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 30, 2023
Speaking after the match, Rock admitted that he needs to weigh up his options.
“That could be my last game in blue. We’ll see in the winter”
The eight-time All-Ireland winner is set to get married in just over a week, and with his baby daughter in his hands during the interview, it was clear that he had a lot to consider before making a decision.
If this was to be the last game that Rock and McCarthy play for Dublin, they have already written their names in the history books and will be a part of the county’s folklore for years to come.
Related links:
- The GAA JOE All-Star Football Team of the year 2023
- Dublin v Kerry All-Ireland final: Teams, news, updates and talking points
- Ethan Rafferty suffers horrific injury in Armagh club game
