A great man gone.
Andy Moran bowed out at the very top of the game as, in his last ever match, and at 38 years of age, he scored 3-3 and saved his club from relegation. At this stage, he doesn’t owe them a thing.
The Ballaghaderreen faithful are well aware of that and, to say thanks for all he’s done, they made a guard of honour for their finest son as he made his way into the dressing room one last time.
The door closed and that was that. They’ll be lucky if they ever see the likes again.
38 is the age but if anything, Moran showed in this relegation semi-final that it’s nothing more than a number. Still on free-taking duties, the former Footballer of the year nailed a few good ones but right up until the very end, it’s always been about the goals, the goals, the goals for this cutest of forwards.
Renowned for his clever movement and composed finishing, Moran netted three trademark goals but fittingly, the last one was the best one. It’s hard to believe it’s the last goal he’ll ever score because this was the type of goal he made a living out of for the last 20 years. He still very much has in it.
Out in front of his man, Moran turned on a sixpence before lashing the ball into the roof of the net. And witht hat, the calls of ‘Hon Andy’ were ringing around the ground.
So here is it folks, the final 6 scores of an illustrious career for @andypmoran Scoring 3-03 in his last game for @Ballagh_GAA An exhibition in free taking and finishing, but the pick of the bunch is his final shot and goal for Ballagh, and typical Moran finish! pic.twitter.com/C3hrmhfo3d
— Ballaghaderreen GAA (@Ballagh_GAA) October 1, 2022
The guard of honour was great to see afterwards.
Andy Moran was given a guard of honour yesterday after his last ever game for @Ballagh_GAA.
It wasn't a bad way to bow out, as the 38-year-old scored 3-3 to preserve their status as a senior club 👑pic.twitter.com/HGgeIn2Vtp
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) October 2, 2022
Then, to bring a great day to a close, the Ballaghaderreen management presented Moran with a jersey.
“Guard of Honour for Andy today for his last game in a Ballagh jersey. 3-3 today, not a bad way to say goodbye! Thanks for everything – a true legend,” They said.
The senior management team presented @andypmoran with a @Ballagh_GAA jersey after his final performance for the Club. A little keep sake for the years of service he has given to the club on the field of play Thanks for the memories Andy 👏🏼🙌🏼 #AndyMoran #LivingLegend #BallaghGAA pic.twitter.com/Isq1norU4h
— Ballaghaderreen GAA (@Ballagh_GAA) October 1, 2022
There’s no doubt about that.
