Waterford captain Conor Prunty: ‘We didn’t do ourselves justice and that’s what hurt the most’

Prunty has regrets over Waterford's performance in the All-Ireland final loss to Limerick but will take those lessons into the 2021 campaign

‘Last year is last year and we won’t be dwelling too much on things this year,’ says Waterford captain Conor Prunty. Picture: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

In the still of the night, the Waterford hurlers returned home in their cars on December 13 last. It wasn’t an All-Ireland final performance that necessitated they slip back into the county under the cover of darkness but the desertedness made their defeat ever so real.

The contrast of such desolation to 2017 when thousands turned out on the south quays in Waterford city to welcome back their beaten heroes was stark. Even the scattering who showed up to greet the 2008 team walloped by Kilkenny was something. However, in the stricken times that these are, this was one disappointment the players would have to weather on their own.