Derek McGrath pleaded with Tom Devine to reconsider travelling decision

Waterford manager Derek McGrath has outlined the reasons for forward Tom Devine’s decision to go travelling for the year, depriving the Déise of the powerful attacker for this season’s championship.

McGrath said he would have been a “hypocrite” if he’d stood in Devine’s way but admitted he had pleaded with the big man from Modeligo to reconsider.

“On Mondays and Tuesdays I’d do one-to-ones with the lads,” said McGrath.