Waterford supporters and the wider hurling public took in the news on Monday evening that Derek McGrath would be relinquishing the Deise reins after five years.
As they did so, the Waterford panel and backroom staff attended a farewell party for McGrath.
A day after the 42-year-old had informed the group that he would be stepping down, 52 of them gathered at his house.
He had delayed confirming the news to them on Sunday as he did not want to subtract from Michael 'Brick' Walsh's record-setting 74th championship appearance. It was not until the players gathered for their post-match meal that they were told.
"The plan was to have all of them over to the house last night, including the backroom team," McGrath told RTÉ Sport.
There were 52 of us there, including 30 players. Three players, Philip [Mahony], Darragh [Fives] and Tadhg [de Burca] went to Australia Monday morning and couldn’t make it.
We had a bit of a sing-song, we had a few pints.
It was very emotional, we were reminiscing on things. We have always said, even if it sounds a bit corny, part of our whole ethos is to make memories, good or bad. Last night will live with me forever.
McGrath added that several players had attempted to persuade him to remain on for another year. The misfortune which Waterford suffered - injuries and Tipp's ghost goal earlier this month - briefly gave McGrath reason to stay on. Brendan Cummins said on The Sunday Game recently that such was McGrath's bad luck, if he had ducks they would have drowned.
A number of players would have asked me in terms of giving it another year. The litany of ill-luck and misfortune we had this year only swayed me temporarily.
I have to be completely honest and say I had my mind made up.
It’s something I have mulled over for a year. It wasn’t an upshot decision based on what happened in the Munster Championship.
It’s been a complete immersion for the management team. The break is needed. I have been under no pressure at home
I feel like I should be giving more to my family.
Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
