Gavin Whelan
Tommy Prendergast has announced his retirement from inter-county football after eleven years in the Déise jersey.
The towering 33 year old midfielder made the decision this week and informed the panel along with new manager, Ephie Fitzgerald.
"I suppose playing last year after a year out and I suppose I kind of underestimated again how much time it takes up. With everything going on in my life as in two young kids now at the moment, work - working big hours and back in college as well so when you bring everything together to try and give that 100% commitment to Waterford, I just couldn't give it"
The Kilrossanty clubman made his senior debut in 2010 under John Owens and it proved to be a great start as Waterford earned promotion from Division 4 and got to play Limerick in the League Final at Croke Park (a game which the Shannonsiders narrowly won). Prendergast admitted that was one of his favourite moments from his Déise career. That summer also saw Waterford record a rare Munster Championship win as Clare were defeated in the Fraher Field sunshine but the next day out was to prove devastating for Tommy as he was sent-off in the Provincial semi-final defeat to Limerick.
He suffered a serious shoulder injury towards the end of the 2011 league campaign which ended in disappointment as Waterford were relegated on the final day against Louth. From his hospital bed, Prendergast watched the Déise overcome London in the All-Ireland Qualifiers that summer.
It would be 2018 before Prendergast would sample his next Championship victory and that came on a scorching day at Chadwicks Wexford Park in the All-Ireland Qualifiers as Waterford defeated their south-east neighbours by 3-14 to 1-18. Monaghan came to Fraher Field for round 2 and proved too strong for Tom McGlinchey's charges.
Prendergast who won a McGrath Cup medal in 2015 (following victory over UCC in Fraher Field) worked under five different managers during his senior career, John Owens, Niall Carew, Tom McGlinchey, Benji Whelan and Shane Ronayne. He played his final game for the Déise in last summer's Munster Championship defeat to Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
He admitted it was an honour to wear the Waterford jersey and says he takes away many great memories and friendships from his inter-county career.
"I think the whole promotion thing probably came a bit early in my career as in, I didn't take it in as much. I'd say if we got promoted now I'd probably take it in a lot more. That 2010 year was a great year, I was lucky to come onto the end of a strong team at the time. That win against Wexford (2018 All-Ireland Qualifier) was definitely nice too. The training, the friendships, the friendships you make from football is something I'll always look back on, plus the one or two wins as well!"
One thing for sure, any time Tommy Prendergast took to the field, he always gave it everything and no doubt will be keen to drive things on with his beloved Kilrossanty over the next few seasons, thanks for the memories Tommy!
Tommy spoke exclusively to WLR Sport to announce his decision and you can hear from him on this evening's "Lár Na Páirce" GAA show from 6:10pm and the full-Interview will be available after the show on wlrfm.com
