Dean Rock claims Dessie Farrell’s Dublin would be devastated by National Football League relegation

DUBLIN would be rocked by NFL relegation — according to Dean Rock.

The All-Ireland holders have lost their first two Division 1 games and sit bottom of the pile ahead of Saturday’s Croke Park visit of Roscommon.

Prolific forward Rock announced his retirement from inter-county football last month after 11 seasons at the top, winning eight All-Irelands.

He tasted relegation with Dessie Farrell’s men in 2022 but they went straight back up last year and went on to lift Sam Maguire.

Yet he says avoiding the drop again is vital for the current crop.

Rock said: “Staying in Division 1 will be imperative. It’s not a good thing toget relegated to Division 2.

“External noise and everything is just not a good feel for the group when you do get relegated.

“And who knows? If guys are going to retire there could be a new team there next year and you don’t want to be in Division 2.

“You want to be in Division 1 and that’s something that we’ve always tried to do within Dublin over the years.

“It would have hit us hard when we did get relegated that year. Defeats don’t do anyone any good. I understand it’s the league but you learn a lot about lads in the league.

“You’ve got time then to turn things around if the league doesn’t go well for you.

“It’s important to pick up wins and the lads will be annoyed and frustrated over the Monaghan and Mayo games after losing both by a point.

“In another season or on another day, those two games could have gone Dublin’s way and they could be sitting on top of the table with four points.

“Everything would look different.”