Moncrieff pays tribute to Waterford GAA stalwart
Musician, Moncrieff pictured with Francie Lonergan, who taught him how to hurl when he was a youngster with Butlerstown. Pic: Moncrieff Facebook
Waterford music star, Moncrieff, has paid tribute to a stalwart of the Déise GAA scene in an online post.
On his Facebook page the Tramore musician and songwriter posted a photo of himself beside Francie Lonergan, who played for his hurling club, Butlerstown, in the 60's and 70s.
Moncrieff and his film crew arrived at his old stomping ground recently to film a video for one of his songs and in a glowing tribute he said Francie was on hand to let them into the grounds.
"Francie played hurling for my club, Butlerstown in the 60s and 70s and went on to teach entire generations to play the game from then right up until today," he said.
"The day after the final gig of the pop up tour, I went back to Butlerstown to shoot the video for 'Hard Feelings', Francie was at the pitch at 7am to let me and the crew in to film," he added.
The star also said it was "actually proper emotional being back in the field" he "literally grew up in".
"Francie taught me to play from the age of 6 all the way to mens," said Moncrieff.
"He was there for every good and bad season," he added.
"He is the reason I fell in love with hurling and forged friendships that will last a lifetime."
He also noted that Francie taught him some life lessons too: "He taught me and my friends how to accept losses and celebrate victories. I learned from Francie that nothing good comes without working hard for it and to never be afraid to take on something that people believed was beyond your reach."
"These are lessons that I live by every day and I’ll always be grateful for that," he said.
