Erin’s Own coach Pa Kearney: 'I had broken my back and was unable to walk'

Pa Kearney was one of Waterford’s brightest hurling talents.

A Déise minor and U21, Kearney further rose to prominence when scoring the crucial goal for Ballyduff Upper during their 2007 county final victory over Ballygunner.

Justin McCarthy called him into the senior set-up the following spring and despite the manager’s departure in the wake of Waterford’s nine-point Munster championship defeat to Clare, Kearney was retained by Davy Fitzgerald as the county bridged a 45-year gap to their last All-Ireland final appearance.