Retiring last year after another All-Ireland semi-final defeat, this time at the hands of Kerry, Heron is already a regular spectator of what is now Mickey Harte’s side, but admits his first season outside the senior panel in over a decade has been one of adjustment.
“It’s been tricky, definitely,” he said.
“I played for the senior team for 11 years so I haven’t really known anything else.
“It’s been hard to adjust.”
While a desire to spend more time with his young family was one factor in his decision to step back, Heron cited the physical toll of the game too, saying he knew the time was right to hang up his boots.
Watching the team at such close quarters this year has only reinforced the notion, even if it took until the Allianz League final victory over Dublin for him to fully feel like a fan rather than player in the stands.
“You’re at games spectating and ones be joking with you, ‘ah did you not bring your boots?’ You laugh and giggle at it but in your heart of hearts you know that you aren’t at that level anymore.
“I’ve come to accept that now. I’m back playing with my club and probably if I sat down and analysed it, I haven’t been setting the world alight there, either.
“County level is a massive step up so I definitely think the decision has been justified.
“I don’t regret it at all but that hasn’t made the transition any easier.”
Nor for the aforementioned young family, with both Mary Grace, four, and James, two, huge supporters of the Derry side with or without their father in the panel.
“It was funny, the first Ballinascreen match I’d went to after I’d retired, I told Mary Grace I was going to play and she was wondering where the team bus was at.
“You very easily get accustomed to things, but they’re still Derry mad.
“It’s nice to experience what they’ve been through too. I probably have a much greater appreciation for what my wife went through taking two young kids to games, and she was doing it on her own too.”
