John Mahon, the Waterford defender, credits conversations with a sports psychologist and a call from his current club for reigniting his football career after a challenging period marked by injury and uncertainty.

Mahon, 26, had been considering stepping away from professional football following a difficult season with his hometown club, Sligo Rovers. Prior to returning to Sligo, he endured a disappointing spell with Scottish side St Johnstone, which was compounded by an Achilles tendon rupture shortly after his return to the Showgrounds in January 2024. These experiences left Mahon questioning his future in the sport.

His girlfriend encouraged him to seek psychological support, connecting him with a sports psychologist. Mahon described the sessions as transformative, saying the process lifted a heavy burden from his shoulders and allowed him to gain clarity about his ambitions in football. “I felt like, give it one last go,” he reflected.

Despite feeling that returning to Sligo would resolve his difficulties, Mahon acknowledged that the challenges lingered internally. His departure from Sligo was confirmed by then-manager John Russell, who informed him that he was no longer part of the team’s plans. “I kind of expected it, I wasn’t in the team at the end of the season,” Mahon explained. Being released from his hometown club, where he had progressed through the academy, left him uncertain about his next steps.

Following his release, Mahon traveled to Southeast Asia with his girlfriend to take a break from football and reassess his priorities. He also considered alternative career paths, noting that both his father and brother work in carpentry. However, he acknowledged that football remained in the background of his mind.

During this period, Mahon’s agent was actively seeking opportunities, but interest from clubs was minimal until Waterford boss Jon Daly reached out. Mahon said he was drawn to Waterford's vision and felt motivated to repay the faith shown in him by performing well on the pitch.

Mahon’s resurgence has coincided with managerial changes at Waterford, notably the appointment of Graham Coughlan after Daly’s departure. Mahon believes Coughlan’s experience as a former center-half has positively influenced his development and contributed to his strong form.

His performances recently earned him the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for August, following teammate Tommy Lonergan’s recognition in July. Mahon advocates for mental health support within football, emphasizing the importance of psychological well-being alongside physical ability. “It’s massive, the mental side of football. You can have all the talent and ability but, if your mind is not right, your football will suffer,” he said.