Moran wants Brick to stay on

Waterford captain Kevin Moran wants Michael "Brick" Walsh to stay on for another crack at winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Deise centre-back Moran, who was nominated for the 2017 Hurler of the Year award on Monday, says Walsh remains at the top of his game and urged the 34-year-old Stradbally forward to stay on for a 15th summer of inter-county hurling.

Waterford last won the All-Ireland title in 1959 although Walsh, who was himself nominated for the All-Star team on Monday, has two losers' medals from 2008 and this year.

"He should because he had an ­absolutely fantastic year." Moran, 30, said. 

"That is his own decision, there are things ­outside of hurling that are hugely important to him as well.

"I would love to give an answer but I don't know [whether he will make himself available for 2018].

"He has been as good as ever, definitely."

Moran says this year's All-Ireland final defeat to Galway was a considerably easier to deal with than the 23-point defeat to Kilkenny in 2008.

Moran and Walsh were the only survivors from the line-up that started the 3-30 to 1-13 defeat to Brian Cody's side nine years ago, and the De La Salle clubman insists the feeling around the Deise camp following the 0-26 to 2-17 defeat to Galway on 3 September is far more positive.

"This feels completely different because 2008 was embarrassing," Moran said. 

"Your head was down for a long while afterwards. It was the worst six weeks ever, to be honest with you. I think there's a lot more positives for us to take now.

"This time around, even though the result was the same, there's a lot more pride associated with the team, a good collective feeling within the county towards us. 

"Everyone has rowed in behind the team which can only be a positive thing going forward over the next few years.

"That's something that's been evident all year and a victory or defeat in an All-Ireland final wasn't going to change that."

Missing the Championship already? eir Sport will broadcast up to 30 games from the AIB GAA Football and Hurling Club Championships in 2017. Coverage continues on Saturday, 23 September with the Limerick club hurling championship semi-final between Doon and Na Piarsaighs [throw-in 3pm] and the quarter-final replay between Patrickswell and Ballybrown [throw in 4.45pm]. Later on in the evening, Kilcar take on St Michael's in the Donegal club football championship semi-final [throw in 7.30pm]. 

Image: Inpho/ Ryan Byrne

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