Mayo legend Andy Moran was at his inspirational best as he came off the bench to help his local club Ballaghaderreen preserve their senior status in the Mayo SFC
If anyone understands what it takes to deliver in the clutch, it’s Mayo manager Andy Moran.
This summer, the gaffer guided Mayo to their first All-Ireland triumph since 1951, shattering the long-standing curse by returning Sam Maguire to the west of Ireland for the first time in 75 years.
Moran was at his commanding best throughout that remarkable title run, deflecting pressure away from his players while pushing back against suggestions that Mayo supporters would get carried away with the excitement.
Mayo pipped Kerry in a breathtaking final, cementing Moran’s status as a genuine county legend following an outstanding playing career in the green-and-red.
While his days in the Mayo jersey may be behind him, Moran demonstrated this weekend that there’s still plenty of magic left in those boots, reports the Irish Mirror.
On Sunday, the 42 year old was introduced from the bench for Ballaghaderreen, engineering a last-minute goal that secured his side’s senior status.
After being fouled, Moran chose to take a swift free-kick rather than settling for a point that would have forced extra-time.
Having already knocked over a couple of points since coming on, Moran delivered a sublime pass into the hands of Conor Moriarty, who finished emphatically to spare Ballaghaderreen’s blushes against Ballyhaunis.
A truly remarkable moment, one which only adds to Moran’s ever-expanding legend.
As the old saying goes, class is permanent – and Moran has always epitomised that.
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