After what many suspected would be his final game in charge of Waterford against Cork on Sunday, Derek McGrath confirmed his departure from the role this evening in an eloquently composed statement.
Stating that 'this team will be forever ingrained in my heart,' the decision was clearly a difficult one for McGrath to reach. After a difficult year in which injuries and the absence of a home venue for the restructured Munster Hurling Championship impeded Waterford's chances of making it into the All-Ireland proper, McGrath will nonetheless go down as a legend within his own county.
A widely respected and admired figure within the GAA, there has been no shortage of compliments paid to his stellar work with his native county.
Bringing the Deise to last year's All-Ireland final, the impact of his departure has hit those who played under him hardest of all. In a beautifully spontaneous manner, a number of Waterford players and staff members have made their admiration and affection for McGrath clear.
I’m absolutely gutted that Derek McGrath who has done so much for this county, myself on a personal level and anyone who has dealt with him is stepping away!! The amount of work he has put in that nobody realises is incredible! He will sorely missed by this whole team!! #GachLá!!
— AussieGleeson (@AussieGleeson) June 18, 2018
More than a manager.... Thank you Mac 🇦🇷 ⚪🔵
— Noel Connors (@NoelieConnors) June 18, 2018
Normally wouldn’t tweet something this but needs to be said how unbelievable Derek was. Did more for us as hurlers and men than anyone will ever know. Gach rud gach lá
— Brian O Halloran (@brianoh91) June 18, 2018
A small few thoughts on simply a brilliant man. Derek McGrath and @WaterfordGAA parted ways tonight but even though Liam McCarthy never made it to the Déise under his reign, we’re all better people having shared the journey. Go raibh maith agat. Gach Rud, Gach Lá. pic.twitter.com/WjEzlJEfkZ
— Tomás Rua Ó Cadhla (@tomas_rua) June 18, 2018
Undoubtedly, more will follow - by this means, or another. Clearly a man who was much more to this panel of Waterford players than a manager, McGrath will be missed.
