Derek’s winning approach was laced with class and dignity

As early as yesterday morning, some bookies had me priced at 5-1 to be installed as the next Waterford manager. Some free advice; keep yere money in yere pockets. The road from west Clare to Waterford is one significant reason I wouldn’t entertain the prospect. But the main one is pretty obvious — replacing Derek McGrath certainly won’t be an easy gig. For anyone.

It’s rare to have seen such an outpouring of emotion and love from a group of players towards their manager. It was a deeply passionate relationship, where both parties only had eyes for each other. And when one walks away, the void is never easy to fill.

The connection was clearly unique. Some of the players were former club team-mates at De La Salle before Derek then managed that group. He taught and coached a huge number of the current group of Waterford players at De La Salle College. And those links strengthened the bonds he had with so many of them as Waterford manager.