Hurling Hero John Mullane Retires ~ Gatherings from Ireland # 36

I have the utmost admiration for John Mullane, the inspirational Waterford hurler, who announced his retirement from Inter-County hurling this week. He is a man who gave his all to Waterford hurling, wore his heart on his blue and white sleeve and gave us magic moments in which we saw raw talent and flair. When you talk about John Mullane, you talk about a player who ignited stadiums with his speed, skill and sheer passion.  You also talk about a man who poured his humble  soul into inspiring a whole generation of  Waterford youngsters with a deep, deep love of the game. He is so generous with his time and makes every young player feel special.

I will never, ever forget being on the Quay in Waterford in 2008 for the Waterford Team’s homecoming having been defeated in the All-Ireland Final in 2008. To see John Mullane sobbing was heart-breaking as ‘ Don’t Stop Believin’ ,  the Waterford anthem,  echoed right around the county. He felt he had let us all down; we knew that he would die for Waterford.  He was a fundamental part of  so many great Waterford games  that gave us such memories ~ playing alongside the likes of Ken McGrath, Paul Flynn, Dan Shanahan , Tony Browne, Eoin Kelly, Michael Brick Walshe ….

John Mullane, you will never, ever know how you lifted our Waterford hearts as you shot up the field and scored from impossible angles.  Thanks for the glorious memories.

Co. Waterford Ahead of the Munster Hurling Final

Co. Waterford is my native heath and the place where I have now lived for the last 21 years.  I often write about aspects of the county which has incredible natural beauty and a depth of history and heritage that is a sociologist’s dream.

The time that I feel most able to think and write about Co. Waterford as a whole is when the hurlers are doing well in the All-Ireland Championship and that moment is right now!  In just over a week’s time, July 15th, Co. Waterford takes on the might of Co. Tipperary in the Munster Final.  Nothing galvanises Co. Waterford more, as an entity, than when the hurlers are  leading the way. We move from thoughts of  Waterford City as opposed to the rest of the county (as the Census defines us) or from the East/West Waterford divide to Co. Waterford as one – all waving the same blue and white flag.  There is great awareness and banter about Waterford’s county boundaries and for these weeks no one is in any doubt where the lines are.

I got great insight into how hurling  passions can really bring county blood to a boil when my father, at the age of 76, made his way from Waterford to Croke Park  in 1995 to see his beloved Co. Clare win the All-Ireland for the first time in his life. I swear that the tears of joy he shed over that victory were blue and saffron.

Last  night I headed for Walsh Park in Waterford City to see the team prepare for the ‘big day.’  I knew that I was surrounded by people from all over the county and the players hailed from clubs from the length and breath of  The Deise (Co. Waterford’s nickname).  The Senior Team had a practice game again the Waterford Under 21 players and there was an air of quiet, determined focus among  the players, management  and spectators.

Michael Ryan (Manager) with Ken McGrath and Sean Cullinane

No one was getting too excited;  it’s like we are in a valley between the gut-wrenching tension of the last five minutes of the semi-final against Co. Clare a few weeks ago  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLaIjlXqOAc and what we know will be an adrenalin-pumper against Co. Tipperary on sunday week.

As I was leaving Walsh Park, I couldn’t but notice a colourful board hanging just inside the turnstiles. It captured in a picture what I have been feeling for years now since Waterford have been having glorious hurling years.  Here was a big Waterford crest and the crests of the 55 clubs from all around the county. This was like a pack of  55 cards but, for now, they are all in the same Blue and White Box of Co. Waterford which sings Don’t Stop Believing!

Co. Waterford Crest and Club Crests at Walsh Park