Eight-time All-Ireland winner Dean Rock, who turns 34 next month, has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
The Ballymun Kickhams player's retirement statement was released by Dublin GAA this morning.
"The time has come for me to hang up the Blue jersey and end my playing career with the Dublin senior football team," Rock wrote.
"I now step aside fulfilled, knowing that I made the most of the opportunity that was given to me."
Speaking to RTÉ's Six One News, Rock added that the level of success he enjoyed with Dublin was more than he initially dreamed of.
"I've been very fortunate to win eight All-Ireland Senior Football Championships and it's something that when you start off your career, if you win one you're extremely happy," he said.
"But to win eight and to play alongside some of the best players that have ever played the game is certainly something that is incredible and something that you aspire to do as a kid."
Rock - a son of former Dublin corner-forward Barney, who won an All-Ireland title with the capital in 1983 - made his inter-county debut under Pat Gilroy in the 2012 league campaign but only broke through properly the following year under his successor Jim Gavin.
After collecting his first All-Ireland medal as a substitute in 2013, he would go on to become an integral part of Dublin football's greatest era, assuming free-taking duties during the six-in-a-row run from 2015 to 2020.
Dean Rock has this morning announced his retirement from inter-county football.
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) January 16, 2024
Thanks for everything, @Deanrock14 💙 pic.twitter.com/M2xi6kjQc4
He famously nailed the winning point in the memorable 2017 All-Ireland final win over Mayo and also holds the record for the fastest goal ever in an All-Ireland decider, slapping home the opener in the first play of the 2020 final.
During 2020, he overtook Jimmy Keaveney as Dublin's all-time leading scorer, finishing with 24-591 (663) across his entire career.
Rock dropped out of the starting team in 2023 but succeeded in making an impact off the bench - scoring the only goal of the semi-final against Monaghan and tapping over a late point against Kerry in the final - as Dublin regained the All-Ireland crown.
