PAURIC AT THE HART OF EVERYTHING
PAURIC MAHONY will be the key man in any success Waterford will have, according to their former captain Fergal Hartley.
Hartley managed Mahony in the colours of his club Ballygunner – they have won the last six Waterford titles – had a big job as well and a family. The amount of hours he spent in the bunker in DCU where we trained was just incredible,” said Rock.
“It’s something that I’d look at him and say I’d never be fit to manage a team or Dublin because I don’t think I’d be able to do what he did. It was incredible for seven or eight years or however long he did it.
“I think Jim was just so diligent in his preparation. His military background was obviously very crucial to us in terms of how we prepared for games. Just everything from the very basics to getting on to the bus to the actual match day was just military - pristine and precise.
“That’s kind of how we operated then as a team on the pitch. Everything was done sticking to the process, as Jim would say. but as current captain of the Déise county team Mahony’s influence has doubled, says his club mate.
“Pauric (left) is captain this year. What age is he now, 27, 28? He is arguably at the peak of his career. Obviously he had that leg break a couple of years ago and has bounced back really well from that. I see him as the natural leader of that team now,” said Hartley who captained Waterford to the 2002 Munster title.
“It is a hugely influential role he plays regardless of whether he is captain or now. But now as captain his 20-odd players had played for Jim at U21. Everyone knew him. The group itself was respectful group, coming through winning an All-ireland in 2011 with Pat Gilroy.
“Jim had the credentials, he had everything: he had the CV to back it up; he played for Dublin; he won an All-ireland himself. I think everyone saw he was the right man for the job, as it proved.
“I don’t think anyone was standoffish or wary of (him taking the job). Pat Gilroy would have had similar traits, so guys would have known that it works.
“With change and new managers comes that sort of apprehension, lads talking in the dressing room, but thankfully Jim had a massively successful career. He was great for me through 21s all the way.” presence in the team is doubly influential. I think he is a key man for them.
“If Waterford are to be successful this year or next year, if they want to drive it on a bit, Pauric will be a key player in that for sure.”
Mahony first lined out for Waterford as an 18-year-old in 2011, a season that saw him end up in the top ten scorers in the Championship, play in an All-ireland semi final and be nominated for an All Star award.
“In that position at centre forward he is top class. It is one of the most influential positions on the pitch.”
I’d look at him and say I’d never be fit to manage a team or Dublin, I don’t think I’d be able to do that..