Maurice Shanahan's extra time goal wrapped up a famous qualifier win over Kilkenny in 2017. It was Waterford's first championship victory against the Cats since 1959.
"It was three on two. Padraig Walsh was trying to pick up the ball and I went to kick it and I connected and it went in front of me. The only fella I could see in front of me was Eoin Murphy. I got in and I said to myself ‘if I swing, I’m going to get hooked’ so I batted it tennis style into the back of the net. I was too close to Eoin Murphy for him to block it. Thankfully I connected perfectly and it went in past him. Then to see the joy of the Waterford people on the terrace, jump up in the air and show them the crest of the jersey, that’s what you dream of when you’re a kid.”
The 2015 All Star scored 1-3 off the bench that Saturday night. “It was one of the most important goals I got. Dan got a goal in the 2010 Munster final and he went up to the fans as well behind the goal and I did the same thing! They’re magic moments."
The Déise supporters, players and management were on cloud nine. "The twenty minutes after the game in the dressing room was absolutely unbelievable because of what we did. We definitely enjoyed it because of all the hurt we suffered to Kilkenny over the years. To see the joy on our families' faces was absolutely brilliant."
Shanahan is still hopeful of lining out with Lismore in 2020. “I’m training away myself and I want to be ready for a club championship. Until I’m told otherwise, I’ll keep tipping away myself and hopefully be right when there is championship and get back onto the playing fields and do what we enjoy doing.”
Listen back to the full interview with Maurice Shanahan from Lár Na Páirce Hurling In The Years with thanks to PWC Waterford.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/wlrfm/maurice2017mp3
