TONY BROWNE SPENT long enough mulling over the decision of when was the ‘right time’ to figure that he wouldn’t have retired John Mullane. Not yet.
Waterford’s star corner forward stepped away from the inter-county side 18 months ago citing a mental burnout that took its toll.
Speaking about his own situation at yesterday’s Bord Gais Energy Legends Tour launch, Browne said:
“Some players can look back and say they retired too early, and I’d hate to be looking into the mirror saying I could have gone on for another year or two.”
Though he made no hint or mention of his former team-mate, it was impossible not to think of Mullane who retired at the age of 31, 12 months before Browne called time at 40.
“Physically,” Mullane said at the time, “I feel like I could go for another year or two but mentally it’s after taking over and it’s after breaking me. I just feel sapped by it.”
Of course, each individual is different. Forwards especially take on the extra level of pressure involved in putting the ball between the uprights and, physically, they can’t all be bionic men like Browne. But the Mount Sion stalwart was left surprised by Mullane’s decision all the same.
“There was no doubt it, John Mullane could play Saturday night,” says Browne.
“Looking at him close up in the last couple of weeks, he was super in the club championship. It’s a different kettle of fish in inter-county though, it’s a huge step up.
“Could he do it? 100%. The man is 32/33, he could have played another year and even this year.”
Wonder
“But you get to a certain age and priorities change. There’s no doubt about the fact that he could have played for another couple of years.
“You’d wonder if he still was playing where would we be last year or even this year going into this game, but that’s the decision someone makes and they have to be comfortable and happy with that.”
(Tony Browne and Ciaran Whelan at the launch of the Bor Gais Energy Legends Tour.)
The hole Mullane left only intensifies the scrutiny on the Deise as they struggle to create a regular source of scores from open play. Still, Browne believes that the three weeks off between Championship fixtures will have allowed Derek McGrath’s side to gain a little more fluency in that aspect of their attack.
“They’re probably over-reliant on Pauric Mahony with frees. And if you get a team playing against Waterford at the moment that are very disciplined, you wonder where [scores] are going to come from.
“But look, the talent is there. They played decent enough the first day against Cork.
“They haven’t played great since, to be honest. I think they’re certainly a team that are unpredictable at the moment – they could surprise a lot of people if they take off and they could take a big scalp. Wexford are probably in that category after beating the All-Ireland Champions.”
Having initially made a conscious effort to put distance between himself and the inter-county scene this year, Browne took in a recent Waterford session from the stands. And, though he still fancies he’d cut it in that group, he was impressed by what was on view.
Sharp
“I went in just to have a look at them training and I have to say that I was very impressed with them. They looked very sharp.
“Derek McGrath is a very modern type of manager and I was impressed with what they did on the night. They looked very fit – in good condition and they looked like a team that are ready to play a big game.”
From Browne’s point of view though, it’s just a shame one big name is not among them.
