For the second successive month, Waterford FC are delighted to receive the SWI/SSE Airtricity Men’s Player of the Month, with John Mahon getting his hands on August’s award after an excellent string of performances for the Blues.
The 26-year-old, experienced centre-half topped the SWI nationwide poll with 58 votes to pip Dundalk’s previous winner, Daryl Horgan with Derry City’s Michael Duffy, another previous winner this season, in third place.
Mahon has been excellent at the back for the RSC based Suirsiders as their league form took a massive upswing and they also reached the Club Orange FAI Cup semi-finals where they will meet Bohemians at Dalymount Park (7.45) on October 9.
In the other semi-final, John Caulfield’s Galway United will meet Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park (3.00pm) on the following day, October 10.
Waterford’s form over the last few months has been remarkable – one defeat in 12 league fixtures stretching back to June 19th and a two-goal loss to league leaders, Shamrock Rovers.
They scored 21 goals in that hot streak and conceded just eight as they eased themselves out of the drop zone with Mahon playing a crucial role in their defensive set-up becoming the second Blues player in succession to win the monthly gong following in the footsteps of striker, Tommy Lonergan, last month’s winner.
“We are on a terrific run of form but it’s hard to put my finger on it. Since the gaffer came in that first day at training we could see what he was all about and sometimes the training sessions were actually harder than the games themselves.
He prepares us well and the way he speaks before a game, gets you right up for it. We are on a good run at the moment and hopefully we can keep it going now.
I can feel the love from Graham Coughlan and I know he respects me as a player and that’s why I repay him tenfold. The fact that he played centre-half himself is a help to me and the similarities are there. He has been a massive influence and that’s why I am doing so well at the moment,” he added.
“I have had some bad injuries in the past but I have put all that behind me. I feel I am enjoying the best part of my career at Waterford and long may that continue. Every time I go out on the field, I give my all to the team because you are not promised too much in this career. I am 26 now and I am really enjoying my football and I suppose I am reaching a peak,” said Mahon.
“Winning breeds confidence in the side and our progression through the various round of the FAI Cup to the semi-finals has helped us in terms of our league form and so far we have dovetailed both competitions nicely,” said Mahon.
