We’ll gradually get up to the pace: Dean Rock

Dean Rock does not expect the Dubs to hit the ground running in 2018 as Jim Gavin’s side will be the last county to return to training following their All-Ireland winning heroics.

"We are due to go on a team holiday shortly after Christmas that rules us out of the O’Byrne Cup.

“I suppose it’s the only time of the year that we can go on our summer holidays really with the number of teachers on our team," says Dean.

"Look, it did us no harm (this year). Obviously once we come back in January we’ll be a little bit under-cooked compared to maybe some other teams.

"But we’ll get back on the pitch in January, go through our sessions and gradually get up to the pace of things."

As Dublin begin their plans for 2018 they will do so without the name of Denis Bastick on the list.

Dean pays his own tribute.

“He’s had an amazing career and goes off into the sunset with five All-Ireland medals and other accolades.

“We’re in a special time for Dublin GAA and we understand that ... at Denis’s age, he still found it hard to eventually walk away.

“We’re a very close-knit group and it will be hard not to have him there. We’ll certainly notice an empty space in the corner of the dressing-room.

“Hopefully. I won’t have to do that for another number of years.”

Dean Rock was talking at the Future Leaders Transition Year Programme Launch at Croke Park.