YESTERDAY WAS KEVIN Moran’s first time returning to Croke Park since the crushing disappointment of 16 days before.
Thoughts of the All-Ireland final loss came back to the Waterford captain at the launch of the PWC All-Stars awards.
“I didn’t come up to the football final, a few things went through my head alright but I’d love to get back here next year,” reflected the Waterford captain.
“It’s still raw, hugely disappointing. There was a great atmosphere in the county throughout the summer and leading up to the final but at the end of the day we probably just weren’t good enough on the day.
“Galway were more economical on the day. We’re back with the clubs now, which is a small bit of solace. It’s good to get back and play a couple of games and focus on something else.”
Moran believes there’s nothing to be gained from honing in on specific moments from the game.
“I had a fairly simple wide myself in the second half but if you go down that route you would drive yourself demented. You just have to put it to one side for the time being and maybe come back and analyse it, if ever, to be honest.
“You have to get back to the club and enjoy it. Take a bit of time off. Recharge the batteries and start again.
“It is disappointing but there are lots of fond memories out there as well. It’s ultimately about trying to bridge a huge gap and win the Liam MacCarthy. We just fell a small bit short this year.”
There is a different sense after this game to Moran’s previous All-Ireland final experience with Waterford in 2008 when they suffered a hiding against Kilkenny.
“It’s completely different. 2008 was embarrassing to be straight up. Your head was down. It was the worst six weeks ever to be honest with you.
“This time around, even though the result is the same, I think there’s a lot more pride I suppose associated with the team.
“There’s a good (feeling), you know, that the county and everyone has rowed in behind the team and Derek which can only be a positive thing going forward for the next few years.
“But that’s one thing that has happened, victory or defeat hasn’t changed that.”
The aftermath of the game has generated fresh doubt over the future of boss Derek McGrath.
Moran is a teaching colleague of McGrath’s in De La Salle in Waterford city. They haven’t discussed the outlook going forward, the Waterford captain is keen to let his manager have space to make the decision.
“I’ve seen him out and about in the school and things like but, straight up, I wouldn’t talk to him about that.
“Everyone wants their space. We would talk about everything else: hurling or the club or things like that.
“I’m sure he’s the same as we all are, if not more so. It’s very raw for him, I’m sure. We just have to give him time and space to clear his head. There’s plenty of time.
“I genuinely don’t know (if he’ll stay on) and I’m not bypassing that question. I really hope so. We’ll just see what happens the next few weeks.”
Moran is also in the dark about his experienced team-mate Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh, who enjoyed a terrific season.
“I don’t know. Should he? He should because he had a fantastic year, an absolutely fantastic year.
“That is his own decision, there are things outside of hurling that are hugely important to him as well and that he has to analyse, things like that.
“I would love to give an answer but I don’t know. He has been as good as ever, definitely.”
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Just weren’t good enough on the day. Also I wish people in Waterford would stop still driving around with those little flags on their cars. It’s over, Done and Dusted.
Get on with life.
@Emmet Dillane: “but at the end of the day we probably just weren’t good enough on the day” he said it himself if you read the article properly I doubt he cares about your views on it – the flags may well be kept up for the numerous other blue/white teams still playing club ball in Waterford ; Mount Sion, Ardmore, Fourmilewater, Dungarvan to name a few – Would love to see Moran get HOTY but Canning/Barron will head the running – Fair Play to Galway the best team by far all year and some breath taking hurling on display
@Sonny Bill: Well said, best team by far .
@Emmet Dillane: They are proud and should be. They should leave them up until Christmas.
@Emmet Dillane: win or lose, keep flying the flag, wherever you are from. Rebels abu.
All the while their football counterparts argue over eye gouging, throwing away kick out tees and GPS.
Fair play to Waterford and Galway hurlers. Not a bad word said after the game and no bitter aftertaste. Football is a disgrace.
@Seamus McSpud: it wasn’t that long ago a Hurley was flung at Lar Corbett as he was through on goal in an all Ireland final against Kilkenny. Also the amount of interference with helmets is at an all time high. So hurling isn’t whiter than white the way you suggest. Dublin v Mayo was one of the most enthraling game of football for many a year and you can only nitpick a few minor incidents that happened, sad really !
@Nigel Dunne: Since when is eye gouging a minor incident?
@Nigel Dunne: There was far more cynicism and unsporting behaviour in the football final and after it .
Waterford were gallant and gracious in defeat.
@Seamus McSpud: ha ha bad word said go way you clown
@43 major trophies: you alright there son?