Former Mayo footballers pay tribute to John O’Mahony

John O'Mahony was one of the most successful managers the GAA has ever seen. He won an All-Ireland U21 title as a player in 1974 and as manager nine years later. He led Mayo seniors to the All-Ireland final in 1989 and Leitrim to their first Connacht title in 67 years in 1994. He won two All-Ireland senior titles with Galway in 1998 and 2001.

As a manager, he won Connacht titles in 1988, 1989, and 2009 with Mayo; in 1994 with Leitrim; and in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2003 with Galway. He also managed Connacht in the Railway Cup.

The Mayo News spoke to three former Mayo players about the legacy he left behind.

Andy Moran

THERE was a clawing sense of grief over Ballaghaderreen on Sunday morning as news of John O'Mahony's death spread across the land. The man who first tasted life in Kilmovee had breathed his last and the town he loved so well was deep in mourning.

One of Ballagh's most famous sons, Andy Moran, was gripped by sadness for a man who had guided, sculpted and moulded the former Footballer of the Year and so many more young men who followed their football dreams.

“We knew he was sick, but I don't think we ever felt we'd be without him,” Moran told The Mayo News. “He was so much part of our lives; he was ever-present and he has had an impact on so many people. Everyone knows about the football and the wins and losses and the various teams, but Johnno did so much more that nobody ever knew about. He helped so many people and was the man you'd go to for advice whenever it was needed.

“I was lucky to have him in First Year in Nathy's in 1996 and he was there all through school. It was amazing to have the man who was the top football manager in Ireland coaching us,”added Moran recalling the All-Ireland B Colleges win of St Nathy's in 2000.

“He was a perfectionist. He couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want to be the best they could be. We all took lessons from him and were the better for it. He had a way of bringing everyone with him whether that was in football or life and I loved that.

“He was known across the country for his stints with Mayo and Leitrim and Galway, but there was a savage determination to get Ballagh' over the line here in Mayo too. Himself and Frank Kelly and Christy McCann knew we could get there and there was no prouder man when we came in the road with the cup in 2008.

“He was the heart and soul of this town and we'll never forget him, but we never thought we'd be without him.”

Liam McHale 

He was the man who brought me into Mayo football. I was a basketball player, just playing football with the club and he brought me into the Mayo U-21s and then to the senior team. I have a lot to thank him for. I enjoyed every minute of it.

He was meticulous in his preparation. He was driven. He had a beautiful wife and family. I remember the girls when they were little, running around the place and I just hope Gerardine and the family can get through this very sad time.

Alan Dillon 

FORMER Mayo footballer Alan Dillon has said the late John O’Mahony provided ‘an enormous platform’ for the Mayo senior football team following his second stint as Mayo manager.

O’Mahony took over as Mayo manager in 2006 following the departure of Mickey Moran after one season in charge.

Under his stewardship, Mayo reached a Division 1 league final in 2007 and won a Connacht title in 2009. His second coming ended after a defeat to Longford - who were then a Division 4 side - in a championship qualifier in 2010.

Speaking to The Mayo News following his passing, Dillon described the former All-Ireland winning Galway manager as an ‘exceptional leader’ who was ‘always very straightforward and brutally honest’.

Dillon, who retired from intercounty football in 2017, played under O’Mahoney when he managed Connacht in the 2005 Railway Cup.

The Ballintubber clubman played against O’Mahoney’s Galway on a number of occasions up until 2004, when he resigned as manager after guiding them to two All-Ireland titles.

“I think he was a man who believed deeply in his own abilities and those of his players,” Dillon told The Mayo News.

“He had a self confidence that was in one sense, infectious, and he would instil a sense of determination and drive in everyone around him and demanded the best from those within his group.

“He was very committed. Integrity was at the core of Johnno’s approach. He was always very straightforward and brutally honest, which earned him the respect and trust of players and colleagues. His commitment to the games and to his teams was certainly unwavering.

“I think when you went into battle with John O’Mahony people understood the importance of having the right mindset and that toughness and ruthlessness were necessary qualities for any successful manager.”

“We believed deeply in his ability. He was a proven winner and he had that self confidence which was infectious,” the two-time All-Star added.

“He instilled that sense of drive into everyone to raise their standards. He said: ‘Ultimately there is no magic secret here. It’s everyone playing their part.’ I think his brutal honesty and straightforwardness was really the way. He expected that from everyone around him. No one was bigger than the team or the group. “

Following his resignation in 2010, Mayo went on to win five Connacht titles in a row, appearing in five All-Ireland finals and reaching the All-Ireland semi-finals every year from 2011 to 2017.

Dillon said that the Kilmovee native provided ‘an enormous platform of growth and development for that team’ prior to James Horan’s tenure as Mayo manager.

“I think we probably didn’t have an experienced group as maybe in other years when a lot of players were debuting and making their breakthrough year or subsequent year and just trying to get that mix right,”said Dillon.

“It wasn’t from the lack of focus and commitment that people would have been critical about. On the day we just came up short,” he added, referring to the defeat to Longford in 2010.

“I don’t think it was from a lack of effort.. I think as a group we were agonisingly disappointed on a few occasions. I think he desperately wanted this group to succeed. It was unfortunate that we just couldn’t get across the line on a few big days. It’s hard to put your finger on it.

“He did look at our mental toughness and trying to play the big moments that possibly we didn’t play previously. He was a man who did focus who ensure that we approached these games with the right mindset.”