“Mind over matter” | Yoyo Mahdy on goals, luck and playing through Ramadan

The 26-year-old striker, who joined Treaty this season, is a Muslim and recently completed the holy month of Ramadan.

Treaty United striker Yoyo Mahdy feels that his side have not been getting “the rub of the green” in recent weeks, and is confident the team can bounce back.

The Shannonsiders are winless since beating Kerry FC on March 1, drawing three and losing three of the six games that followed.

A horrid run of three straight losses was brought to a halt last Friday, when Tommy Barrett’s men met Kerry for the second time this season, playing out a 0-0 draw.

Everyone involved with the Garryowen side will be disappointed with the recent slump, but speaking after Friday night’s game Mahdy said he believes they have been performing well, and have been unlucky at times.

“The first two games of the losing streak we weren’t creating enough, and then Athlone I thought we created a lot, Wexford we obviously managed to score two goals. Tonight it wasn’t a lack of creating chances, maybe could be a bit more clinical but I think it’s just the rub of the green that we haven’t really been getting. I feel like we have to create crazy chances to try and get a goal on the scoresheet but that’s what happens when you’re fighting the teams around you. You just have to get the rub of the green and hopefully that will come in the next few weeks.”

Their most recent loss came away to Wexford FC, as the hosts won it late on in Ferrycarrig Park. Treaty were 2-0 down heading into the final ten minutes in, but looked to have nicked a point when Mahdy popped up with a quick fire brace.

To the delight of the home fans, and the misery of those travelling, Wexford’s Cian Curtis struck for an 89′ winner, and the Shannonsiders went home empty handed.

While Mahdy admitted he was “delighted with the goals,” he said it was “bittersweet” as they went on to lose the tie.

“I can’t lie I was delighted with the goals last week, but at the end of the day we didn’t win the game, we ended up losing, didn’t even get a point out of it so it was really bittersweet. On a personal note it was good to finally get back on the scoresheet, with all the injuries at the moment I need to step up now, I showed that I can do that last week. This week I was probably unlucky but I just have to keep plugging away and hopefully chances will come and I’ll be able to put them away.”

The 26-year-old striker, who joined Treaty this season, is a Muslim and recently completed the holy month of Ramadan.

During this period, the forward had to fast every day from dawn to sunset, in what is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline. This can be particularly demanding for athletes, but Mahdy said “it just shows what the body can do”.

The former Bray Wanderers man said that the period affected his superstitions on matchday, but that perhaps that showed they may not have been that important!

“My parents moved to Ireland when I was just two years old from Saudi, before the they were in Egypt. Different upbringing to everyone else really, different faith, different religion, had to learn a lot from my parents and stuff. Doing Ramadan for the last 30 days up until Wednesday. A lot of discipline, a lot of jealousy watching people eat and drink around me. It just shows what the body can do, being able to train and play matches and go to the gym whilst fasting. Mind over matter, that’s kind of what it is.”

“I’m very particular on what I do on a match day in terms of what I eat and what times I eat but that all goes out the window then when I’m fasting. I think it just shows that my superstitions are pony to be honest! You just have to get your mind right, that’s all you have to do, and kind of just persevere.”

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Treaty United will be looking to end their winless run this Friday, when they travel to the Carlisle Grounds to take on Mahdy’s former club Bray Wanderers.

The sides met at the Markets Field on March 8, playing out 2-2 draw despite the hosts leading 2-0 at half-time.

Bray occupy the final playoff position on goal difference, level on points with Treaty, who have played a game fewer.