He’s just a legend: Kevin McManamon

A chip off the old Rock, like father like son ... Dean Rock, like his father Barney before him, was Dublin's top-scoring hero in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final victory.

Sixth minutes into added time the Ballymun Kickhams man refuse to buckle under lots of pressure to slot what proved to be the winner.

His county team-mate Kevin McManamon, himself one of Dublin's key second half operators, paid tribute to Dean afterwards.

“I have unbelievable respect for the amount of practice he does. I don’t think I would have wanted anyone else in that position with the game on the line and a minute to go. He’s just a legend with the amount of practice he does and how cool he is under pressure and I’m delighted.

"He took a big hit in the league final against Kerry. He took that on his own shoulders and it hit him pretty hard so it’s a nice little twist that he got the winner today. He’s an absolute legend, so fair play to him.”

Dean himself said: “Absolutely delighted the ball went over the bar. Diarmuid (Connolly) did well to win the free and it’s my job to put it over the bar and thankfully it went over.

“It’s my job to put it over the bar, I love being in these situations. Obviously the league final I learned from, I missed a kick to get a draw and thankfully this time it went over the bar. I just struck it well and the rest is history now.

“It’s a dream come true to win one, to win three, four and some lads winning five, it’s just incredible. It’s just all down to the hard work everyone puts in, from the backroom team to the players to the guys who didn’t make the panel today. This is for them.”