Waterford's Kevin Moran announces retirement
Kevin Moran spent 16 years on the Waterford senior hurling squad. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Waterford warrior Kevin Moran has retired from inter-county hurling at the age of 34.
“After 16 years, I have decided the time is right for me to step away from inter county hurling and to concentrate on putting more time into my club De La Salle,” he said.
Moran won two All-Stars (2012 and 2017), Munster medals (2007 and 2010) and captained the Déise to the 2015 National League title during his time in white and blue. He lined out in three All-Ireland finals (2008, 2017 and 2020).
He played a whopping 143 games for the county in league and championship. The De La Salle stalwart reached 60 championship appearances in July when he came off the bench against Tipperary. Only Michael 'Brick' Walsh and Tony Browne have made more for the Déise. Between 2008 and 2018, he started 42 championship matches in a row.
Waterford manager Liam Cahill sung his praises earlier this year. “I call him a freak hurler in the current era; he’s an amazing man. He absolutely loves training and arrives here in splendid condition. When you’re looking for the traits of a proper inter county hurler, that’s what Kevin Moran is.”
Moran was a superhero on the pitch in a variety of roles. He hurled in every line bar goalkeeper. From full-back to full-forward, he answered the call of duty for six different Déise managers. Justin McCarthy gave him his league debut against Wexford in 2006.
His best years were as a midfielder, with number ten on his back, from 2015 to 2017. He was nominated for an All-Star on six occasions (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017), taking home a statuette in 2012 and 2017.
Moran started 56 of Derek McGrath’s 58 league and championship games in charge.
“I’d call it an iron will that he has, he’s like nothing I’ve known before,” McGrath told this summer. The former Waterford boss works alongside Moran in De La Salle College.
“He’s a role model for us here in the school. He comes in on a Monday morning after a harrowing defeat or a big victory with Waterford or De La Salle and there’s no airs or graces, laced with humility, a great example to all our boys in the school.”
His peak seasons came under McGrath when his midfield partnership with Jamie Barron blossomed. On the way to the 2015 league title, Moran was man of the match in both the semi final against Tipperary and the final against Cork.
2017 was the year of his hurling life. Championship goals against Wexford and Galway, 2-13 from play and a second All-Star as the marauding midfielder came within three points of climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand.
He was shortlisted for Hurler of the Year alongside Barron and Joe Canning. His driving runs at the opposition defence with the head down and the sliotar glued to his stick became his trademark.
Michael Ryan made him captain for the first time in 2013. Two inspirational points from the skipper forced extra time against Kilkenny in an All-Ireland qualifier on a red hot Saturday evening in Semple Stadium.
“Possibly his best ever performance for Waterford,” according to Ryan. “It was his first year as captain and he showed great leadership. Two incredible scores. One from the sideline on the right hand side, he went past his man and floated it over the bar and another one from way out the pitch. He was absolutely exhausted in extra time and he came off in the latter stages of extra time. He had no more to give.”
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