Waterford’s history makers: The first Déise football team to play in Croke Park

John Martin closes the front door of his uncle Nick Power’s house behind him and makes for the top of Oxmantown road. His instruction, from there, is to turn right onto North Circular Road and head in the direction of the City centre until Croke Park presents itself in the Dublin skyline. Martin, having never been to Croker, hasn’t one iota where he’s going.

GAA HQ eventually comes into view and he wanders around to the back of the Cusack Stand to wait for his Waterford team-mates. Given his unfamiliarity with the area, he’d had a very early breakfast at his uncle’s house so to give himself plenty of time to reach the venue for their National Football League quarter-final.

19-year old Pa Walsh, although knowing he won’t be starting against Dublin that afternoon, itches with excitement in the lobby of Barry’s Hotel. The Waterford team, who had overnighted at the Hotel — Martin had been given permission to stay with his uncle — attended Sunday mass on Eccles Street before returning to the Hotel for a cup of tea and salad sandwiches.