Waterford celebrated their semi-final victory over Cork, and they were dead right to.
The Déise boys may be preparing for an All-Ireland final in three weeks time, but according to Kevin Moran and Dan Shanahan, they were still looking forward to putting their jeans on and enjoying the night ahead of them.
In a GAA world full of sport science, drinking bans and of intense and often overstated focus on recovery instead of enjoying a win, these Waterford lads decided to enjoy their victory and have a few drinks.
The psychological benefits of celebrating such occasions are huge, as it can bring a team closer together, and often this team bond, friendship and unity can overpower the fine margins of human performance.
That’s what the Waterford lads feel and more teams should take note.
Colm Parkinson was speaking to Waterford’s midfield supremo Kevin Moran and selector Dan Shanahan in the aftermath of the game and both men were looking forward to the night ahead.
Parkinson remarked to Moran that the younger members of the Waterford panel were donning their glad rags as they exited the dressing room, while the more experienced heads of Noel Connors, Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh and Moran were wearing their shorts and county gear, but the De La Salle club man was quick to assure The GAA Hour Show host that they would be changing later on.
“We’re over the moon, we haven’t even had the chance to have a drink with the lads yet so we’re looking forward to that and just relaxing and enjoying tonight.
“30-year-old with a big exclamation mark over my head. I didn’t actually see the Brick but I can guarantee you he doesn’t have his jeans. I may go home back to Waterford (and we’ll get ready for that)”
“We came up last night and the younger boys were obviously thinking ahead,” said Moran.
Selector Dan Shanahan was ready for action in a pair of jeans, and he was encouraging the lads to make the most of the great day they had.
“When they’ve done what I’ve done they can put on their jeans. The two lads are serious lads, I’m sure after the dinner there, they’ll put them on. They’ll just enjoy the dinner there, do the recovery, them lads have women too Colm. They’re dressed up to go out tonight, we won’t get carried away. We don’t get to these things too often so we have to let the boys out,” said the Lismore club man.
These Waterford lads are a unified bunch, and Moran was keen to ensure that Derek McGrath’s men had some extra motivation going into the game on the back of the long drawn out suspension process surrounding teammate Tadhg De Búrca.
“I suppose Conor’s thing was a little bit of a dampener for us all, and it’s tough look for him being there but, look that’s for another day. The whole thing with Tadhg as well meant there was a lot of emotion involved, without going too deep into it.
“We had two or three scenarios, and then obviously we got the word on Friday morning. It was very difficult for Tadhg. I can only imagine the work Derek and the guys put in behind the scenes for that difficult situation. I think we handled it well, a lot of that on Sunday was for him.
“He’s such a cool-headed guy. He gives everything to us, he’s very quiet, probably not vocal, you know doesn’t need instruction or doesn’t give instruction, but he’s just a great guy,” said the 30-year-old.
You can listen to the Moran and Shanahan interviews here from 23″00′.
