Acting Senior Football manager Mick Galvin to asses the fitness of Dean Rock and other players who missed opening League clash
The Dublin Senior Football panel successfully traversed their opening League clash last weekend with a convincing 1-22 to 0-16 win over Rsocommon in Dr. Hyde Park. Quite a promosing result despite the absence of some notable names.
Michael Shiel was a last minute replacement for Evan Comerford in goal. Comerford was obviously due to take the place of Stephen Cluxton. Tom Lahiff started in place of Micheal Fitzsimons, but Fitzsimons did make a bit part later in the game. Another noticable absence was Jonny Cooper, who although named to start was replaced before throw in by Sean McMahon.
There was also no place for Dublin sharp shooter Dean Rock in the starting 15 as Cormac Costello joined Paddy Small and Con O’Callaghan in the full forward line.
Acting football manager Mick Galvin has since admitted they’re taking care of some injuries. And Dean Rock may likely miss this weekend’s massive league clash with Kerry in Thurles.
“There’s a couple of guys we’d hope will be available next week. Jonny Cooper and Brian Howard are coming back. Dean – it will probably be a week too early for him, so we’ll assess what we have after this and we’ll make a call on them towards the end of the week.”
“Dean picked up a little knock during the week, and we’re just minding fellas at this stage” Galvin explained.
A goalkeeper conundrum is only scratching the surface
Evan Comerford picked up an injury on Friday, ruling him out making way for Michael Shiel. Stephen Cluxton is “still making his way back”. And Galvin admits the importance to mind these players now as the action accelorates over the coming months.
“Just talking to other counties there seems to be, I won’t say an epidemic level, but there seems to be a lot of teams picking up injuries. With the condensed nature of the season, you pick up something now and you’re out for six weeks and it could be very costly.”
“We’re just trying to do the right thing by the players and keep them fresh and ready.”
Meanwhile, despite boss Dessie Farrell serving his 12 week ban, Galvin admits Farrell still has a massive say in the team selcection, albeit from a distance.
“We talk on a regular basis and he’s never too far from our mind. Not ideal not having him around the place, but it’s a very strong player-driven group so we’re trying to cope with his absence as best we can.”
