Noah Mawene will never forget the night he scored his first professional goal. The midfielder’s strike against Bohemians helped send Waterford into the FAI Cup final and ensured his name would forever be linked with one of the club’s most memorable victories. Now, just weeks later, the 20-year-old is preparing for an even bigger occasion as the Blues attempt to end a 46-year wait for cup success against Derry City at the Aviva Stadium.
For Mawene, an appearance in the FAI Cup final was the furthest thing from his mind when he arrived at Waterford on loan. Yet just a few months later, the midfielder stands on the brink of the biggest occasion of his young career and the chance to help deliver a first cup triumph for the Blues since 1980.
“It’s something you dream of,” Mawene said when speaking ahead of Sunday’s date with destiny.
“Coming over on loan, you don’t expect to be in a cup final, but you sort of see the opportunity when you win one game and then another. Then you’re into the semi-finals and you’re actually thinking, ‘We’ve got a chance here.’
“I’m delighted for the fans and the people of Waterford to have a day out, basically, and hopefully win it because we’re there to win.”
Mawene’s impact since arriving from England has mirrored Waterford’s own resurgence. While the midfielder admits adapting to the League of Ireland was a challenge, he believes the experience has accelerated his development.
“The league probably doesn’t get enough credit,” he said.
“Playing in England, that’s the only place I’d played. If you come over and find the challenge, it’s tough.
“Ten teams going at it, it’s brutal. In terms of progression, I felt like I’d not played football in 18 months before coming and getting regular minutes. It was always going to be tough to build up to the standard and quality I know I can be at.
“But having the opportunities to do it and with what we’re doing as a team, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Having played a key role in helping Waterford pull clear of trouble, Mawene described the emotion of securing survival in front of the RSC faithful.
“It meant the world,” he said.
“I know that was like our early cup final. Since I’ve come in, it’s felt like home.
“I wasn’t here at the start, so for most of the boys it’s been a proper hard season and hard graft, but it’s a privilege to be part of the journey now.”
The midfielder has also benefited from the experience surrounding him in the Waterford dressing room, particularly defensive leaders Pádraig Amond, Kevin Long and John Mahon.
“It makes it so much easier,” he said.
“Even on the pitch, I’m sort of the destroyer in front of them and my job’s actually fairly easy.
“They tell me left, right, left, right. They take all the hits and then I’m just in front picking up the balls they head away because they win every header.
“In terms of experience, watching the likes of Pádraig Amond, Kevin Long and John Mahon do what they do is ridiculous.”
Now the focus is firmly fixed on the Aviva Stadium. Waterford supporters have embraced the occasion in huge numbers and Mawene admits he has little idea what to expect when he walks out onto the national stage.
“God knows what it’s going to be like,” he said.
“I have no clue, but that’s something you dream of.”
For a player who arrived seeking regular football and a fresh start, the road has led somewhere even he could not have imagined. Ninety minutes from history, Mawene and Waterford have one final hurdle to clear.
And neither intend to make the journey to Dublin simply to make up the numbers.
