DEAN Rock admits that it was the manner of Dublin's narrow National League defeat to Derry, moreso than the loss itself, that stung the Sky Blues most.
The Dubs were largely overwhelmed by the Ulster champions in the second half of the Celtic Park encounter, though were still in a position to claim at least a draw in the closing moments of the game.
Brendan Rogers ultimately struck the winning point for Derry in the fifth minute of stoppage-time and Rock lamented Dublin's poor 'game management', noting that they coughed up possession to allow for the score.
Having enjoyed a glittering career in a Dublin team that always seemed to find a way to win in situations like that, coming from six points down just the previous weekend to beat Clare, it was a tough one for Rock to take.
"The big thing with the Derry game was we had the last possession of the game, as such," said Rock who kicked the winning point against Mayo in the 2017 All-Ireland decider.
"We just lost it in the corner ourselves and they then transitioned up the pitch and got the final score. It's a little bit around game management and making sure you're the team with the last possession so that you get the last shot at the goal to ensure that if you're not going to win it, well you're definitely not going to lose it.
"It's little things like that we need to be a bit more streetwise around and just kind of bring it back to the surface because we were so good at it for so long.
"There's loads of examples where we've done it well in games as well. But in those bigger games, obviously the Monaghan game last year was a relegation decider and we lost it narrowly and then you have All-Ireland semi-finals in the last couple of years, so you're very close, you're not a million miles off it but you're just coming out on the wrong side.
"Certainly from a game management perspective, we have to be more mindful of those scenarios."
It remains to be seen if Dublin get an opportunity for revenge in a Division Two final. They similarly lost to Derry in the 2014 League, in Derry, before hammering the Oak Leaf county in the League final weeks later.
"I was injured at the time in 2014, so I missed that one," said Rock, who was won over by the atmosphere generated by a capacity crowd of around 14,000 last weekend. "It was a great experience for us. When they got their goal and got back into the game, you could really hear the noise. They're the games you want to play in. It was a nice trip, a long journey and to go all that way and not get a result is disappointing.
"We missed some good chances, as did Derry. I think in the second half, when a team gets momentum and gets a goal, the home crowd and the noise...it can be hard to get back control of a situation like that.
"I thought we did well to get back two points up but they just managed to get a couple of frees to draw level and obviously then got the last point of the game."
Rock won't beat himself up over an early March loss and said the bottom line is that 'you probably don't want to be at Championship pace or intensity' just yet.
The seven-time All-Ireland winner described it as a big learning experience, particularly as Dublin's full-forward up against one of the meanest defences in football.
"Full-forward used to be the most desirable position to play on the pitch but it's become probably the most boring position to be honest," said the son of Dubs great Barney Rock.
"At times it can be great but at times, particularly like the Derry game, a lot of your work is done defensively, it's not done when you have the ball. That's just how the game has evolved, or certain games.
"Not every game is like that. When you're playing against certain opposition, that's just how the lay of the land is. That was particularly the case against Derry where you're not seeing much ball. When you're not seeing much ball and just chasing around, it's not very exciting.
"It's a game-by-game situation. Derry play like that so you have to adapt to that scenario. You're not going to get as many one-on-ones or shots at goal. But it could be different the next day against Meath."
Speaking at a promotion laid on by Dublin GAA sponsors AIG, Rock also highlighted an apparent increase in simulation or diving in the game.
"I think it's definitely crept into the game," he said. "It's not something we do, maybe we are too honest or naive, I don't know. But it's certainly becoming a problem in Gaelic football."
