Moran: Déise need top status

Waterford’s Kevin Moran believes staying in Division 1A was vital for the county’s young talent.

The Déise looked certain to drop to the second tier when they lost their first three games in the top flight, but after replacing selectors Nicky Cashin and Br Philip Ryan with Ken McGrath and Sean Cullinane, Waterford saved their status with wins over Galway last Sunday week and Dublin last weekend.

“We’re delighted we’ve stayed up,” said Moran.

“We were given a lifeline there when we won last Sunday week in Galway, and it’s great that we’re still in Division 1A for next year.”

The De La Salle clubman was warm in his praise for Roanmore’s Gavin O’Brien, who hit four points from play last Sunday. O’Brien is one of several exciting youngsters coming to the fore for the county.

“Gavin was very good against Dublin, in fairness, but we have a lot of good young players coming through, and they’re only going to get better and better.

“The likes of Gavin, Martin O’Neill, Jake Dillon are all coming through, and then you have Padraic Mahony – he’s only two years out of minor, people probably forget that.”

Now Waterford face a wait of over two months until they play Clare in the Munster championship semi-final.

“It’s a long break, fair enough, but that’s a lot better than having to face into a relegation game in a couple of weeks,” said Moran.

“It’s hard work from here on, head down and work away, though we’re back with the clubs for a week or two as well, which will be a good break. We’re looking forward to June 17, and now we can concentrate properly on getting ourselves ready for that.”

Moran echoed his manager Michael Ryan’s remarks that Waterford were playing Clare, not their former manager Davy Fitzgerald, in the Munster championship.

“That’s the thing, at the end of the day you’ve to go out and hurl — that’s all we can do — both sets of players. We’ll give it our best shot.”