Pauric Mahony eager to maintain Ballygunner's standards

By Cian O’Connell

Pauric Mahony doesn’t take anything for granted. This is a glorious era for Ballygunner, perfectly illustrated by the fact that 12 Waterford SHC titles in a row have been won.

In that spell four AIB Munster Championships and one All-Ireland victory brought further silverware. Medals and memories earned.

Sunday’s Croke Park decider against Loughrea is the next mission to be accomplished for Ballygunner. “There is an appreciation of what we're going into and facing this weekend,” Mahony says.

“Every year there is an appreciation for winning our own club championship. That is first and foremost where it starts with this group. We take huge pride in winning that Waterford championship.

“For years, before we went on this run in Waterford, we weren't winning championships. We were suffering some heavy losses and maybe that is what gives us a steely mentality going into the Waterford championship. That we wanted it so badly.

“We're still latching on to what the other side looks like. Obviously, towards this weekend, Croke Park with your best friends and family, the whole buzz in the area, hopefully it'll be a great day out for the people, too.”

Inevitably, Ballygunner have dealt with players retiring and setbacks along the way.

Staying relevant, though, matters and high standards are being maintained. “When you lose a big player, and we've lost a couple of them over the last number of years, you could easily say or think, that is it now, it's going to weaken our squad,” Mahony reflects.

“You can use it both ways because the injection of youth coming into it can give some of the older lads a new lease of life. It creates new energy amongst the group.

“When you see the way that the young lads apply themselves and the way they train, they want to come in to make an impact. They aren't just happy to take a jersey and be on the squad, they want to be playing. That certainly helps to drive the whole group on.”

A back injury initially hampered Mahony in the Waterford SHC, but by the knockout rounds he delivered scores when it truly counted. “Obviously, it is a bit unknown coming towards the latter stages of the Waterford championship with no real games or not much training under your belt,” Mahony says.

“I suppose, it is about getting over the line in these games. Thankfully, I got back on the pitch for the knockout stages. We had a good win in the semi-final against De La Salle and against Mount Sion, then, in the county final.”

Ballygunner are accustomed with the gap before performing on the provincial stage. “When you've a gap that big you can almost switch off for 10 days or so, down tools completely,” Mahony remarks.

“There is so much energy that goes into the Waterford championship because it is week on week. You're probably playing this year, I think, there was eight games in nine weeks. So, there is no let-up really in that.

“Physically it is demanding, but mentally it is also demanding. Being able to switch off means you're coming back fresh to go at it again.

“We've gone down to the Gaelic Grounds for the last number of years, there is a little bit of added, you could almost say motivation. You're going away, playing a top team in their own back yard. That has probably helped us in terms of getting through that block of work we needed to get done in that eight- or nine-week window. Thankfully this year it stood to us.”

Former Wexford and Kildare football manager Jason Ryan is providing enthusiasm and drive as Ballygunner’s manager. “Number one, Jason has good people around him, he assembled a strong management team,” Mahony says.

“So, that is number one. Jason is obviously a very good coach himself and does a lot of the coaching, too. With the different codes, Jason's background being hurling, soccer, and Gaelic football, bringing new ideas and applying them to different types of drills in training.

“That has probably brought a bit of freshness to the whole thing. Jason brings high energy levels to the training field, and it is hard not to match his level of energy when you see him at that pitch. He has certainly been a big asset to the set-up.”

The classy Mahony brothers are still doing their bit too for Ballygunner.