John O’Mahony, R.I.P
John O’Mahony, R.I.P
It is with immense sadness that we heard about the sad and untimely passing of our former double All-Ireland Senior Football winning manager, John O’Mahony.
John enjoyed a stellar sporting career leaving an unrivalled legacy in Leitrim, Mayo and Galway winning 8 Connacht Senior Football titles during his various tenures as manager.
He tasted success eight times in the Connacht Football championship leading Mayo in 1988, 1989, 2009; Leitrim in 1994; Galway in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 to Nestor Cup wins.
He started his inter-county managerial career leading Mayo’s U21s to the 1983 All-Ireland crown. Undoubtedly, the crowning glory of his managerial career was the winning of the two All-Ireland Senior Football titles with Galway in 1998 and 2001; ending a 32-year famine to return the Sam Maguire Cup to the Tribesmen.
As a player, John won All-Ireland minor (1971) and U21 (1974) medals with Mayo. He was a corner-back in two senior Connacht football finals.
In recent times, John took over as manager of Salthill-Knocknacarra in 2022 and led them to the Galway Senior County final, where they were defeated by Maigh Cuilinn on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-9.
1998 All-Ireland winning Team Captain, Ray Silke said John has left “a phenomenal legacy behind him”. “In 1998 he had a catchphase “to take the opportunity of a lifetime, in the lifetime of the opportunity”. Ray said John himself took the opportunity of the lifetime when he managed Mayo very successfully; had phenomenal success with Leitrim in 1994 who beat Galway, Roscommon and Mayo to win that Connacht Final. In 1998 he automatically had respect of the Galway squad citing him as a “very strategic” manager with the expert ability to blend the youth and experience of the squad successfully.” On behalf of the 1998 squad, Ray offered his condolences to Geraldine and the O’Mahony family.
Galway GAA Chairperson, Paul Bellew said “John gave Galway supporters, here and abroad some of the greatest days and memories we ever had. In recent years he continued to contribute to Galway GAA behind the scenes through his involvement in coaching. He will be fondly remembered with great respect by us all for all he achieved.”
Galway GAA extend our sincere condolences to his wife Geraldine, daughters Gráinne, Niamh, Rhona, Deirdre and Cliodhna, brothers Dan and Stephen, grandchildren, extended family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Funeral details announced here: https://rip.ie/death-notice/john-omahony-mayo-ballaghaderreen-561708
Galway Bay FM broadcast a special tribute to John as part of Sunday sport as his remains left Galway on their journey to his home featuring Ollie Turner, Ray Silke, Paul Bellew (Galway GAA) and Vincent Neary (Connacht GAA).
Listen to that tribute in full here:
https://galwaybayfm.ie/sports/john-omahony-tribute-broadcast-on-sunday-sport/
