“It all started off with a broom!” - Nicholas Mackey
Waterford minor selector Nicholas Mackey celebrates All-Ireland minor semi-final victory over Kilkenny.
Déise minor selector Nicholas Mackey has been working with this group of players since they were Under 14.
“I started with them in October 2021,” the Mount Sion man recalls. “78 lads came into the SETU Arena, and we had to cut the panel to 48. I think there’s 25 left. From day one, a little rule we had was that the club badge is left at the front door. Just give your all for Waterford. Since then, no fault. We had two teams in the Tony Forristal semi-finals, got to an Arrabawn final Under 15, they won the Under 16, and now we’re in an All-Ireland final at minor level. A talented bunch that is willing to learn.”
Fellow selector Seamus Hannon, team secretary Charlie Barry, stats men Michael Hayes and Michael Brophy, and logistics man Ricky Freeman have also been there from day one. This squad are the first to come through the Waterford academy system. “Déise Óg set up the S&C,” Mackey explains.
“As soon as we finalised the panel of 48, they were brought into a gym in Dungarvan and De La Salle College. It started off with a broom! Just giving them the proper techniques. How to squat, how to lift, the whole lot. Just with a broom, plenty of exercises. That went on for five to six months until we got them on the hurling field properly.
“Every night they did S&C along with the hurling. That just continued on. You can see it out there, we’ve a few big lads, they’re after getting fed at home! A good lot of them are over six foot. It has worked. Fair play to Déise Óg for having the foresight to get this up and running. It’s after helping us no end.” Mackey has managed Mount Sion at every age grade, including a stint with the seniors in 2017. He coached the Waterford camogie side on two occasions under Don McMahon and Donal O’Rourke.
“Then, Jason Ryan and Jonathan Moore picked up the phone and asked me would I get involved with the Under 14 Tony Forristal team. I had a good chat with Sean Power. He said, ‘Nicky, you love it, give it a go.’ Sean is very seldom wrong. I’m loving it since. Our first game with this group was in Thurles in March 2022, and we’re going to finish as a group in Thurles on Saturday.”
These Déise youngsters are a pleasure to deal with. “There’s no ego in the dressing room. It’s rare and it’s unbelievable to have. They’re a smashing group of kids. They love playing for Waterford. The roar at half time the last day was phenomenal. It’s something we’ve talked about with the players. A Waterford roar is like no roar you’ll hear. They got a right taste of it and they’re mad for more.”
Mackey also speaks highly of manager James O’Connor. “A1. Top man. He picked up the phone the first year he got the job and asked me to come in. I jumped at the chance, a man of his experience and what he is after winning in the game, be it playing or managing, or coaching. Very hard to say no to. I said to Joxer ‘do the three years and please god we’ll have a good ending.’ We’ll see what the ending is like on Saturday.”
He was mighty proud of the semi-final performance. “Proud that the whole county and the whole country could see what they can do. We’ve seen a lot of glimpses of that at Under 14, 15 and 16. To answer whatever Kilkenny threw at them was very pleasing but nothing they’re not capable of. Talented bunch. They’re a group Waterford can be very, very proud of. If we can get bums on seats in Thurles for this All Ireland final and roar these lads on, it could be the difference.”
Waterford will have to empty the tank again to go up those steps. “It's going to take a titanic effort. Clare are a top side. We were up there watching them against Cork. They’re improving and improving no end. It’s going to take a savage effort.”
