Dublin's comfortable but not exactly incident-free progress to the All-Ireland football semi-final was the latest step forward in what has been a great season for Dean Rock. Formerly best known for his impact off the bench, the Ballymun forward has been enjoying his most sustained run on the first team this summer.

“I’m in a great place,” he says. “I’ve played every game since the O’Byrne Cup this year. I got into the team and I got the jersey and I’m just happy to do what I can and I’m really looking forward to the next game in four weeks time.

“Everyone loves getting games and a lot of game time and I’ve managed to do that this year. It’s just working for me at the minute and I’m just loving every minute of it.”

Rock’s advent was delayed by his club’s All-Ireland run in 2013 and injury last year, which combined to give him very little league exposure during Jim Gavin’s management.

“I came back last summer, last May. And I was happy with it from there and I just kicked on ever since. I got a good pre-season behind me and I’m just in a good place.”

Cleared

Meanwhile, Kerry’s Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue has been apparently cleared for the county’s All-Ireland semi-final against Monaghan or Tyrone. The All-Star forward injured his shoulder when being tackled by Kildare goalkeeper

Mark Donnellan

during Sunday’s 27-point rout in the quarter-final at Croke Park.

There were fears as O’Donoghue was taken off that the injury might be a recurrence or aggravation of that which required surgery and kept him out for six months.

A statement on the county website, however, says the player has not sustained any serious injury.

"The Kerry medical team immediately realigned the shoulder," the statement says, "and an X-ray afterwards showed that there was no serious injury sustained. He will have a routine MRI scan and will rest for a few days before beginning rehab and a graduated return to action."