The WLR commentary of Harry Ruddle's late, late goal from Kieran O'Connor and Eoin Murphy has been on repeat in Ballygunner over the past week according to Dessie Hutchinson.
"I'd say I've listened to it a good 50 or 60 times at this stage! The two lads were unbelievable, especially Eoin! Just listening to it, I get goosebumps."
The Gunners score getter is still on a high after winning the All Ireland last Saturday. Ruddle's goal saw them bring the Tommy Moore Cup back to Waterford for the first time. "It was absolutely crazy. I just remember looking up at the clock thinking 'here we go, our dreams are being shattered' and next minute Harry, bang. We didn't know what to do because we didn't know if there was going to be another play. There were people running on the pitch, there were players running back towards their own goal. It was mental. It was like an out-of-body experience when the final whistle went that we actually did it. It was gone from us and then bang, out of nowhere we were All Ireland champions."
Hutchinson tried to make room for the super sub as he soloed through the Shamrocks' defence. "I was actually right on the D and I saw him coming towards me and I just said 'I need to get out of here' to try and open up a bit of space. By the time he hit it, I was standing directly behind him but I could barely see it through the bodies and I had to tilt my head around. Absolutely unbelievable finish by Harry. It's something we're not surprised by because he has that in his locker. People were reminding him that he would have a big part to play. I don't if he thought it would be that big of a part!"
Hutchinson's second half goal was another big moment. His 14th green flag for the Gunners. "I saw the keeper moving the other way so I tried to bring it back to the near post and thankfully it worked."
Swapping Brighton for Ballygunner has been a life changing experience for Hutchinson. "It has and it's all been for the good. When I did come back, it was tough, I won't lie. I didn't know what I going to be doing. Thankfully, the GAA has given me a pathway and I'm back in college and that's going really well. It's been absolutely brilliant. There has been some very high days which has made it a lot easier. We did have a few bad days with Waterford but even to have the chance to play with Waterford is incredible."
He is in college at present. "I'm up in Mary I Thurles doing a teaching course. It was a big step to go back because I was out of education for nine years. It was a big step but one I'm really enjoying."
Listen back to the full interview with Dessie Hutchinson from Friday's Lár Na Páirce.
