Pauric Mahony had another fine display for Waterford on Saturday as the Déise defeated Kilkenny for their first time since 1959.
The Ballygunner club man was at his sharpshooting best as he notched six points for Derek McGrath’s men in their triumph over Brian Cody’s men.
Waterford are all too familiar with the heartbreak of losing to Kilkenny, having being knocked out in the All-Ireland semi-final by the Cats last year.
That was a painful day for Waterford and Mahony, as the 25-year-old’s last-gasp free dropped narrowly short of the Kilkenny goal.
65 metres out and at an angle, he had the direction but not the distance. It dropped just short, Eoin Murphy plucking the ball from sky and Kilkenny broke forward, Richie Hogan finally killing them off with a towering score.
At the final whistle, Mahony sank to his knees and asked for the ground to swallow him.
That was when he was consoled by Kilkenny supporter and Kildare native Jennifer Malone.
She wanted to celebrate that day, but stopped to commiserate with the crestfallen Ballygunner man.
This time, Mahony had the bragging rights, but Malone was still by his side.
The difference a year makes. Same people, same teams, same venue – different result, different emotion. #respect pic.twitter.com/iRhj9vTaFu
— Club Déise (@IamClubDeise) July 9, 2017
It’s what the GAA is all about.
