Waterford minor hurling manager James O’Connor cut an emotional and proud figure after his side reached the promised land at Semple Stadium yesterday.
The Lismore man and his backroom team masterminded the Deise’s first underage All-Ireland success in 9 years – as the Deise saw off Clare to lift the Irish Press Cup in Thurles.
Speaking to WLR Sport after the game, O’Connor said words couldn’t describe the feeling.
“There’s no words to describe it. That was an unbelievable performance, an unbelievable feeling. I don’t really have to say it, all I have to do is just look out there, out in the middle of that field at the Waterford support. Grown men, grown women crying. Sure, Jesus – it’s as good as you’re ever going to see. For me, it’s brilliant. It’s a dream come true. A lot of hard work over the years finally pays off. That’s what any manager, that’s what any coach wants – it’s great to do the work and you get recognised for it, but you must bring home the silverware. At last we brought it.”
The future is bright for Waterford. There’s no doubt about that. O’Connor has called for this victory to be a catalyst for future successes in white and blue.
“Timing is everything, isn’t it? I’d love to be able to tell you that I planned all of this, but I didn’t. I’ll be honest about it. This was the team growing game after game. Finally, we’ve seen over the last two games what they’re capable of. They’re a very special bunch of players. They are a bunch of players that will have to be looked after over the next three to four years, and developed and brought forward again for senior level. The future is bright for Waterford, and as a Waterford man, I’m so delighted.”
The Deise boss believes the performance at Semple Stadium exemplified everything his team stands for – and was them at their brilliant best.
“Unbelievable defending, bodies on the line, throwing themselves in front of hurleys and sliotars. Unbelievable to watch, they’d make you proud. There’s no point saying otherwise. There’s no prouder man in Thurles than me, because I’ve seen this come true from when they were under 14, and saw them at that age, and waited for them until last year, and then got my hands on them to go full tilt for minor level. This has been a brilliant journey. It’s been a brilliant story, and it’s great to have the end.”
O’Connor has twice tasted defeat in heartbreaking fashion on All-Ireland Final day, but he wasn’t to be denied this time.
“I’ve coached for 17 years. I’m lucky enough to be in three All-Irelands over the last six years. Last two, heartbroken – to win today makes up for everything. It’s brilliant to win an All-Ireland, but it’s even better to win it with your own, and that’s what I can dearly say on that. To win one with Waterford – look, if I never win another thing again, I’m happy after today.”
A huge Waterford crowd made the trip to Thurles and O’Connor expressed his thanks to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the course of the campaign.
“The support here today was unbelievable to watch. Both stands, full of Waterford supporters. It was just unbelievable. I can’t thank them half enough, and I’m just delighted that I was able to deliver an All-Ireland for them, because those people over there, as I was walking through the crowd, had been waiting to win All-Irelands for 20, 25 years. Some have never seen one, they’ve come out today, they’ve supported, they’ve really got behind this bunch of lads. I hope it continues over the next number of years.”
