Maurice Shanahan's first All-Star award is not merely a recognition of his fantastic performances for Waterford in 2015.
Considering that his struggle with depression was forcing him to contemplate not playing at all last Christmas, this accolade reflects the personal journey that Shanahan undertook to go into himself and slay the demons that were devouring his lust for life. And now he cuts the figure of a man reinvented.
Today's edition of the Irish Examiner documents Maurice Shanahan's emotional journey with depression, detailing the times when he was at his lowest and the moment he sought the help he needed to trigger his recovery.
Speaking on what winning an All-Star means to him, Shanahan said:
"Tonight is a special night for all the lads who got nominated and all the lads who are getting All-Stars, but it is probably an extra special night for me because of the road I came through to get here. Last year was a bad year for me, but thankfully I am here today to tell that tale. I am here today because of my Waterford team-mates and my club Lismore, because of my family, my friends and my girlfriend. They got me through the bad times".
Congrats to Maurice Shanahan of @WaterfordGAA on making the 2015 GAA/@gaelicplayers @opel All-Star team! pic.twitter.com/fo2yysdiAi
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) November 5, 2015
The Waterford full-forward goes on to detail how the torture of depression impeded on every aspect of his life, to the point where he isolated himself from everyone.
"I was suffering from depression, big time. It got on top of me and I couldn’t take any more of it. I started to lock myself into rooms after work. I’d go to work and when I came home, I’d lock myself into a room. I didn’t want to go out. I didn’t want to go to the hurling field. I didn’t want to do anything, I just wanted to lock myself away from it".
Fair play to .@WaterfordGAA All Star @MauriceShanaha2 speaking up about his struggle with depression. #AskforHelp https://t.co/vTZ1tyX70n
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) November 7, 2015
Fortunately for Shanahan, he discovered help two months later which marked the beginning of his recovery. The 25 year-old also mentioned other notable figures including local Lismore native Sean Prendergast and Waterford manager Derek McGrath who offered indispensable support throughout the ordeal.
This years Hurling All Star Full Forward line comprises of Ger Aylward, Seamus Callanan & Maurice Shanahan! #GAA pic.twitter.com/zbP2fiwy5z
— GPA (@gaelicplayers) November 5, 2015
"I met Derek last Christmas and I wasn’t even going back playing hurling. ‘We won’t make any rushed decisions tonight’, he said. He said he would give me time to think about it and I said that was grand. I had no interest then, but the interest gradually came back".
Shanahan mentioned the inherent pressure associated with playing inter-county level GAA while also advising anyone who has a mental illness to seek help immediately.
"It doesn’t matter if you play sport or not, whoever is going through a bad time, the one bit of advice I would give them is to always talk to someone. You can’t bottle it up inside because if you do, it could get the better of you. Just pick up the phone and tell a friend, tell anyone. Just talk".
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