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02nd Oct 2022

Andy Moran gets guard of honour into the dressing room after 3-3 haul in his last ever game

Niall McIntyre

A great man gone.

Andy Moran bowed out at the very top of the game as, in his last ever match, and at 38 years of age, he scored 3-3 and saved his club from relegation. At this stage, he doesn’t owe them a thing.

The Ballaghaderreen faithful are well aware of that and, to say thanks for all he’s done, they made a guard of honour for their finest son as he made his way into the dressing room one last time.

The door closed and that was that. They’ll be lucky if they ever see the likes again.

38 is the age but if anything, Moran showed in this relegation semi-final that it’s nothing more than a number. Still on free-taking duties, the former Footballer of the year nailed a few good ones but right up until the very end, it’s always been about the goals, the goals, the goals for this cutest of forwards.

Renowned for his clever movement and composed finishing, Moran netted three trademark goals but fittingly, the last one was the best one. It’s hard to believe it’s the last goal he’ll ever score because this was the type of goal he made a living out of for the last 20 years. He still very much has in it.

Out in front of his man, Moran turned on a sixpence before lashing the ball into the roof of the net. And witht hat, the calls of ‘Hon Andy’ were ringing around the ground.

The guard of honour was great to see afterwards.

Then, to bring a great day to a close, the Ballaghaderreen management presented Moran with a jersey.

“Guard of Honour for Andy today for his last game in a Ballagh jersey. 3-3 today, not a bad way to say goodbye! Thanks for everything – a true legend,” They said.

There’s no doubt about that.

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