A life less ordinary - John O'Mahony laid to rest in Ballaghaderreen
Large crowds turn out to honour former Mayo, Leitrim and Galway football manager
BALLAGHADERREEN came to a standstill today as the life of John O'Mahony was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Annunciation & St Nathy before the sportsman, teacher and politician was laid to rest in Kilcolman Cemetery.
Crowds gathered from far and near to remember the school teacher, the footballer, the father and husband who had touched the lives of so many during 71 years very well lived.
O'Mahony passed away last Saturday night and since then there has been an outpouring of appreciation for a man who made his mark in the sporting arena, the classroom, the Oireachtas, and in the community he loved so well.
Fr Stephen O'Mahony spoke about his brother in a heartfelt homily and described him as a man who “Always remained the lad from Maheraboy.”
Today's funeral Mass was attended by hundreds of mourners including An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, Captain Paul O'Donnell, Aide de Camp to President Michael D Higgins and President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns.
O'Mahony was born in Maheraboy, Kilmovee on the Mayo side of the border with Roscommon and all speakers at today's Mass stated how much he loved where he grew up and the town of Ballaghaderreen where he lived the majority of his life.
“He loved Ballagh' and had green and white running through his veins always no matter what colour he might have been wearing on the outside,” John's daughter, Deirdre told the congregation in a well-delivered eulogy.
The Mass was concelebrated by eight priests, chief among them John's brothers, Fr Dan and Fr Stephen and his brother-in-law Fr Tommie Towey. Also present was Galway GAA chaplain Fr Pat Farragher.
Crowds packed into the cathedral long before the celebration of life began and Mass opened with a haunting rendition of 'The West Awake,' which was highly-appropriate for a man who had guided Mayo, Leitrim and Galway to eight Connacht football titles and Galway to two All-Ireland titles.
Symbols of John's life presented by his grandchildren included the football jersey he wore when Mayo won the All-Ireland minor final in 1971, alongside Ballaghaderreen and St Nathy's jerseys, a geography book to mark his many years as a teacher, the Oireachtas pin from his first day in the Dáil in 2007, a family picture and a crucifix blessed by Pope Francis.
Fr Dan O'Mahony welcomed everyone and said while hearts were heavy and it was hard to comprehend his brother would no longer be present in body, everyone was extremely thankful for having 71 wonderful years with John.
In a heartfelt homily, Fr Stephen, said his late brother was a man of faith who had gone out to the world and proclaimed the good news in his own inimitable way. “He spent his life doing this – not from a pulpit but by the way he lived. He treated everyone with great respect. Pauper and prince got the same billing,” the priest stated.
Later, in an extremely well-delivered eulogy, Deirdre, one of five daughters of John and Gerardine O'Mahony, gave the congregation an insight into her father. “If he was here he would tell me 'they won't remember what you say – they'll remember how you made them feel.'
She explained how he lived a life embedded in “love, loyalty, empathy and community,” and explained how her father would have both loved and hated all the fuss there has been since he passed away over the weekend.
“He never made anything about himself, so he'd have hated all the fuss, but he'd have loved it too – meeting all the people who shaped his life and meant so much to him.”
She went on to speak about her father's love of potential and his determination to develop the person, not just the footballer.
“So many people have come to us over the past few days and told us about his impact on their lives. It seems he was training people not just for exams or the pitch, but for life with his concentration on integrity, loyalty and positivity.”
Deirdre went on to speak about the incredible bond her parents had and recounted the words her father used to describe her mother, Gerardine, the love of his life.
“He would say, when times were good she's behind you and when times are tough she's out in front fighting for you.”
At the end of the Mass, crowds accompanied the coffin bearing John O'Mahony to the local Kilcolman Cemetery where he was laid to rest.