Moran: Retiring Prendergast ‘one of the greats’

Waterford hurler Kevin Moran has hailed Seamus Prendergast as "one of the true greats" to wear the Déise jersey.

The 34-year-old yesterday announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, having made his Waterford debut back in 2001.

The Ardmore forward picked up four Munster senior medals during his 14-year tenure with the Déise.

Prendergast’s last appearance in the Waterford colours was as substitute in their 3-15 to 2-15 All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Wexford in July.

“Seamus will be a huge, huge loss. It will be hard to replace the experience he brought to the table,” said Moran.

“He was one of the true greats, he was one of the team’s great leaders. He led on and off the field. His hurling did the talking and then when needed he would offer the required words off the field. In the last couple of years he took the panel’s younger members under his wing, showed them ropes. His experience was vital.

“Seamus was a guy I looked up to and who showed me the ropes when I came on board.

“Few looked after themselves and trained as hard as Seamus. I remember the 2005 All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork, his battle with Cork’s Ronan Curran. Seamus hit four points that day and was simply superb.

“All through the 2004 and 2005 campaigns Seamus was a leading figure.”