‘We’ll get a senior All-Ireland here in a couple of years’
So it was that those same supporters turned out in their thousands yesterday evening to welcome home their heroes, first in Waterford then on to Dungarvan.
“It’s been 65 years since the Irish Press trophy travelled over the bridge,” said Mayor John Cummins in welcoming the champions back to the city, “That makes this even sweeter!”
Not strictly accurate — the last minor title Waterford won was in 1948 (they actually did the minor/senior double that day) but it wasn’t yet the Irish Press Cup, which was presented only the following year. But the sentiment was right, and how they celebrated!
“The best birthday present I ever got!” said county PRO Emer Barry, “Kieran O’Gorman, one of the selectors, is a lifelong friend of mine and he rushed over to me after the match, lifted me up in the air and said ‘I told you I’d get you a good birthday present!’
“It’s a huge boost for Waterford hurling — anyone born the year we last won is now on a pension!”
The players walked the cup across the bridge, then got on the open-top bus which brought then down the quays to the gathering point in front of the Waterford Crystal building where a stage had been erected. There to meet them were the blue-and-white bedecked Déise army, there too a guard-of-honour of players from the current senior team — a lovely touch, much appreciated by goalscoring hero of Sunday’s win, Patrick Curran.
“It’s brilliant. Tony Browne, John Mullane and those were our idols, inspired us to play hurling, then you have Noel Connors, Kevin Moran — that shows what it means to them. It’s a great night to be from Waterford, absolutely fantastic.”
For both Kevin and Noel, however, they were giving the youngster no more than their due. Kevin: “Everyone saw the potential of these lads yesterday, plenty of big, strong guys able to take care of themselves. It’s been a long time coming, we’re just delighted to be able to come out and support them.”
Noel: “These lads have won an All-Ireland, they’re the best in the country at that level — it must be celebrated.
“The base is there, let’s bring it on to senior level, win Liam MacCarthy and bring it back here.”
As the players were introduced individually to the crowd by MC Richie Walsh, one of the loudest cheers was for elegant centre-back Austin ‘Ozzie’ Gleeson, a player being spoken of as certain to make the senior breakthrough sooner rather than later.
Austin, however, believes he’ll have familiar company: “Definitely, yes; maybe give fellas a year to develop but there are several who are nearly ready to step up — DJ Foran, the Bennetts, Paddy Curran, names that will definitely be heard of. And with everyone pulling together we’ll get Waterford a senior All-Ireland down here in a couple of years.”
That was the theme of the evening, probably best articulated by manager Sean Power — celebrate yes but also let’s build on this.
“Let this be the catalyst for the start of something good in Waterford,” he said, to huge cheers. “We’ll drive it on, work collectively, pull together, and please God it will lead to a senior All-Ireland title.”
