Dermot Ryan will captain the Waterford senior footballers in 2023.
The Nire defender has been a standout performer for the county team over the past four seasons.
"I was surprised, I wasn't expecting it. When Ephie Fitzgerald announced it, I was very honoured. You're very proud any time you put on a Waterford jersey to represent your county, your club and your family and being captain this year will make it that bit more special."
Ryan made his championship debut against Limerick in 2020. He was named man of the match in the 2021 county final win over Rathgormack. The attack minded defender was joint top scorer for The Nire in 2022 with sixteen points as Michael Ryan's men retained the Conway Cup.
His family are thrilled with the news. "When I said it to my mother and father, they were very proud. They are ringing everybody, telling relations and everyone they meet on the street in the last few weeks! They're at every game. You'd always see them; they're in early inside in Fraher Field. They'd be watching the warm-up and all that."
Hear more from Dermot Ryan on Lár Na Páirce from 6.10.
