“The best day of our lives” – Captain Comerford and superb Spain on cloud nine
The Waterford minor hurlers were greeted by a hero’s welcome at Walsh Park yesterday.
The Deise saw off Clare at Semple Stadium on Saturday to be crowned All-Ireland champions and a homecoming event was held in their honour.
Captain James Comerford told WLR that it was a weekend that they’ll never forget.
“I can’t put it into words – it’s a feeling I’ve never felt before and I’ll never feel again. It just means so much to all of us. I can’t thank the supporters, managers and players enough.
Comerford’s Ballygunner teammate Cormac Spain finished as top scorer with a whopping 8-75, including 0-11 in Saturday’s decider.
He says it was a dream come true to lift the Irish Press Cup.
“It didn’t really feel real at the start – but now, it’s starting to kick in. It’s some achievement – we’ve been struggling for the past few years and it’s unreal to get something over the bridge now.”
Spain was hobbling around on one leg for much of the final having picked up an early injury – but was he going to come off? Never.
“There was no way. You’ll only get to play an All-Ireland Final maybe once in your life. You have to make the most of it when you’re playing it.”
28 June 2025; Referee Colm McDonald during the Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championship final match between Waterford and Clare at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Comerford says the memories will last a lifetime.
“Memories for life – friends for life. That’s the makings of an unbelievable team. Joxer and the lads have done a great job just bringing us closer and closer every training session. I think that’s just the cornerstone of any good team – fellas that you can call your best friends for life.”
The team responded to a number of setbacks along the way to All-Ireland glory, having been defeated twice by Cork in the Munster Championship. Comerford says resilience and above all else – belief – is what drove them on to the promised land.
“The one word we spoke about from the first day that we stepped into training was belief. We believed in each other, the management believed in us and we believed in them. It was all about trust and honesty, and that’s what it comes down to.”
Cormac Spain described what it felt like when the final whistle sounded.
“The best moment of my life so far – you just can’t put it into words. All the hard work paid off in the end.”
