WHAT HAS BEEN the motivation to keep going?
Aidan O’Mahony cut his playing ties to the inter-county game six years ago this month.
Five All-Ireland senior medals, two All-Star awards and over 70 senior championship outings in Kerry colours, represented a healthy honours list to take with him into retirement.
Club football with Rathmore was something to immerse himself in, yet it has been a pursuit that continues to endure.
At 42 years of age, he is adamant that he is entering the home straight.
Early January and facing into an All-Ireland club intermediate semi-final this afternoon, with a final place in Croke Park on Sunday week on offer.
It’s not a prospect he countenanced for a closing act but the desire to push on was fuelled by a more local occurrence.
When Rathmore won the Kerry intermediate football title back in 1999, O’Mahony was a teenage defensive anchor. They gripped determinedly onto their senior status for two decades until relegation hit them in October 2019.
It took until November 13th last year before ensured the club was back at senior level.
“I seem to be walking away from it every year, but the biggest thing was to get the club back up senior,” says O’Mahony.
“Denis (Moynihan) took over (as manager) the start of 2022, I had a phone call with him. It was with me that I was one of the players that took the team down to intermediate, so needed to be one of the lads that bring the team back up.
“It’s funny, I look at a lot of the lads in the dressing-room now and I’d have played with their Dads. Rathmore were junior in 1998 and we beat Finuge in that county final. It took us 28 or 29 years to win the junior and then the following year we won again to go straight from intermediate to senior.
“It’s a fantastic group there now, we’re very close.”
Taking shortcuts in preparation was not something he was interested in. He hasn’t been a first-team regular but didn’t want panel status or previous achievements to be used as insulation from the work required.
“Look I’m no different to any other player, I want to play every game. The week after the Kerry county final, we played Spa in the local O’Donoghue Cup here. I knew it was probably a game where I’d get gametime but I’d an exam (in strength and conditioning) above in Belfast. So I’d to drive to Belfast the Friday night, had the exam the following day, get into the car and drive back down to Rathbeg to play.
“I think I landed ten minutes before the game started. I train as hard as the rest of them and I love that part of it, training collectively as a group. The harder the better and getting through it. I’m still enjoying every minute of it. I was delighted the last day in the Munster final to get the run.”
For plenty years Rathmore operated in the bearpit that is the Kerry senior football arena and held their own. Sometimes they came close to something momentous. In 2015 they lost a senior semi-final to Killarney Legion by three points. 2016 was more difficult to absorb, another semi-final defeat but this time only by a point at the hands of Kenmare District. The memories of the near misses linger.
“They’re the games we look back on and say, ‘What if?’ A lot of that group and panel are still involved now. It’s getting back up there and really being competitive and I think Rathmore have a group of players coming through now again.”
When they dropped down they received first-hand evidence of the cut-throat nature of the intermediate grade. 2020 and 2021 brought disappointment, before the third attempt yielded a two-point success over An Ghaeltacht in last year’s final in Tralee.
It marked O’Mahony’s second Kerry intermediate medal, both achieved 23 years apart. He’s not the only one with that distinction, Kenneth O’Keeffe is now the goalkeeper after pointing the way from full-forward back in 1999.
The current talent at their disposal stands out. When Kerry lifted Sam last July, the trend of two Rathmore players being involved was maintained.
O’Mahony began his Kerry triumphs alongside club-mate Tom O’Sullivan, finished them with Paul Murphy for company, and then watched Murphy along with goalkeeper Shane Ryan, climb the steps of the Hogan Stand in celebration.
“It was great. I’ve seen the amount of work those two lads, Paul and Shane, put in. For the club they’re brilliant. When they’re with Kerry and we were training over, they’re always around the place. They’re two positive guys, two huge players for us.”
For all their experience they have stockpiled and the bright young Kerry talents emerging in their ranks, it is curiously a Derry native who shot the lights out in the Munster club final, Chrissy Spiers dazzling in Mallow before Christmas against Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh.
“He’s been a huge addition. His wife is from Rathmore, they were in Australia and then came back here. He’s a beautiful kicker of the ball, off both feet, takes the frees. He got married the Friday before the Munster final and then two days later kicked 0-12 for us. That player is worth gold to any team.”
Locally they do not require an education on the merits of these provincial and national bids for glory.
The Rathmore parish encompasses three clubs – Gneeveguilla joining Rathmore on the Kerry side with Knocknagree stationed across the border in Cork.
Two out of the three have contested All-Ireland finals in Croke Park, Knocknagree winning the junior showpiece in 2018 and Gneeveguilla falling narrowly short twelve months ago.
The prize dangled in front of themselves and Wexford’s St Mogue’s (Fethard) is considerable today in Páirc Uí Rinn. Croke Park beckons the winner.
“There’s a huge buzz around the place,” admits O’Mahony.
“We watched Gneeveguilla last year and Knocknagree previously and the runs that they went on. That’s the brilliant thing about these club championships. When we won in the late ’90s, there was a Munster championship then but I think it was only played off in one game. Theer was no real hype about it. But now you see the day of our Munster final, the size of the crowd that was there with David Clifford playing for Fossa. It’s great for clubs and communities.”
O’Mahony’s GAA career has moved into coaching, he was with the MTU Kerry Sigerson Cup team last year and recently has taken the hurling reins of Dr Crokes.
That will soon consume his sporting focus but this playing challenge is to be embraced, particularly with his young daughters able to appreciate this chapter.
“They were at the county final, it’s nice, they’re three and a half, and five and a half. They get to see what their Dad did for the last 20-something years. It’s nice to have those memories to look back on. My Dad, Lord have mercy on him, had a scrapbook and was brilliant for cutting out stuff. Now I have it at home and just looking back at it, it’s unreal.
“I’m based in Killarney, working in Tralee, two young kids as well, you’re conscious as well that your priorities change. I love coaching, I love the strength and conditioning side of it.
“It’s just the time involved and I’m one of those players that I’m conscious if I’m not training and not setting a good example, it’s gone to a level now where you’re training three nights a week, gym two nights.
“The priority for this year was helping get Rathmore back up senior and it’s about pushing on now.”
Incredible coach, no matter what happens this Sunday Jim you’ve done donegal some service.
He got lucky.
We’ll done Alan, officially the least intelligent remark since the Bush administration
I think it’s going to be fascinating to see what Donegal bring on Sunday. Probably the only team with the organisation and discipline to carry out the sort of game plan required to take down the Dubs!..
We know what he’ll bring mortar bricks and water
Either way it should be a good game of football on Sunday!
The second in a series of mind-games from the Donegal camp this week.
Dublin – keep your focus!
Typical shite from him what a fool thinking dublin buy into it
Paul he’d be a fool for not trying it! Even the dogs in the street know that if he allows this to turn into a football match then Donegal have no hope! I love a bit of the cynical side of sports, it’s what makes the spectacle, nobody wants to see Dublin steamroll their way to an AI!
Another poor attempt by Jimmy to nominate Gavin for a puke bucket challenge!!
Paul Grimley gets slated for not talking to the media, Jim talks to the media & guess what?
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
How anyone could read that interview & decide that it’s Jim playing “mind games” is beyond me.
Some people need to go back to the tablets!!
I suppose your spin is that Armagh were just holding their counsel this season. Stupid comment – it’s mind games if he praises and it’s mind games if he says they are like professionals.
The panel of players Dublin managed to pick from over 1 million people should beat Donegal! The same team who never play anywhere else except croke park, and they still trail Kerry by a long way in titles! C’mon Donegal and beat these bunch of luis Suarez impersonators!
I’ve never heard any of those points being made here before Cathal . Well done on your originality!
Anyone who wants to see Donegal and their style of play beat Dublin is not a fan of Gaelic football.
That’s one stupid comment
@Aideen: Donegal should, of course come out, play open football and get obliterated by Dublin in order to satisfy the “true” football fans.
Anyone who can’t understand another way of playing football shouldn’t be allowed comment on the game! I suppose Tyrone should give back their medals because they didn’t play like the dubs! Is there no camoige site you can comment on?
Sexist as well as obnoxious! Almost a triple threat Cathal! Your mother must be so proud. Oh and by the way, I’m in work since 7, no collecting the dole for me and I didn’t wear my pyjamas either, sorry to disappoint you!
Wel said Aideen same old bull from him
Cathal, I didn’t realise every single person in Dublin was a male who played Gaelic football? In reality the pool of people that play in Dublin is significantly less than the total population.
Without checking the latest census I’m fairly sure that is the case in most counties.
Golden thinks 1m people play GAA in dublin I wish lol
Aideen,
I’m no fan of the sexist language but in all honesty your original point about people who want to see Donegal win not being fans of footbal, is silly in the extreme.
There is more than one way to play the game & while Dublin are great to watch, I am really looking forward to seeing the contrasting styles come up against each other
At work since seven ? I hope your boss isn’t watching you post on this forum. To say someone is not a fan of Gaelic football if they want to see Donegal win is arrogant in the extreme.
You sound like an anti dub , my grandparents are from Mayo Sligo and Galway I always supported them when the dubs went out . It’s funny how when Kerry and Dublin played in 2011 everyone wanted Dublin to win and now because there still winning the whole country is jealous of them . Ya should be congratulating the dubs for there hard work and effort not begrudging them they don’t get payed they work hard for there success get a grip ya loser I’d say ya never kicked a ball in your life ya dope
If the amount of people in the county meant success surely Dublin would win it every year?
Donegal idiot
Jim Mc Guinness is the greatest manager of the modern era. It’s not all about management though. Dubs might be too strong this weekend.
He won one all ireland how is he the greateat manager of the modern era .
And a fairly lucky one at that.
Explain how it was lucky please? Waiting with great anticipation of an astute, insightful answer!
If Gus Poyet wins the league just once with Sunderland then he would be one of the greatest managers. It’s not unfair to suggest taking a team who were knocked out by Antrim and beaten by 15odd points by Armagh and turning them into All Ireland champions is a serious achievement.
Some understandably don’t like his tactics but it’s his job to get the best results for his county, not to play the most watchable football.
Jim Gavin should equally take pride in turning around an underperforming Dublin panel and making them ferociously competitive. Both teams deserve success for the way they are maximising their resources.
Of the modern era, Mickey Harte deserves credit as manager who achieved most! That being said, I imagine Jim Gavin is going to notch another two All-Ireland titles before he’s finished with Dublin to put himself in the mix of the debate! If you’re to say McGuinness deserved equal plaudits, so too does every other manager who bagged an All-Ireland in past 20-odd years!
jims wining games ( jim Gavin that is )
Ah jesus if there was ever a statement so off the mark that was it!
Gavin turned around an underperforming Dublin panel?? They won the All Ireland the year before he got the job!
McGuinness is worried about a rail strike next week. He figures that there will be no busses left in Donegal to park in front of Hill16!!!!
Up the dubs!!!!!
Theres is no train lines in donegal anyway.
And there is no rail strike planned for that weekend in any case.
Wow I didn’t expect to get any rebuttals until at least midday! Good job on getting up lads and lassies in Dublin, now hands up if any of you have collected the dole yet in your pyjamas!
Ul be talkin out of the other side of your mouth come Sunday and if I were u I have a look round other parts off the country when it comes to the P J s we set trends up here in the smoke use rednecks follow them sure the dirt down here stops wearing pjs two years ago can’t say the same from some other kips I been to outside the pale
Golden as long as dublin bank roll you you’ll continue to be able to afford a pc to type trash so you can thank us now
Well that’s just indecipherable Rildo.
What is
F..k you that clear enough gabby
Alan Clarke I suppose Kerry had more jobs more people more money when they were dominating for years ya fool. I was at every game since 95 it took 16 years to win an all Ireland and it was hard work under age ! Dublin are the most skilled team and clearly they have worked hard for there success don’t be a jealous sour bogman
Well said Ryan. Dublin supporters had 16 years of being laughed at. We never took it to heart because we knew we weren’t good enough. I’ll enjoy these days now because they won’t last forever. And the fact that it makes some country cousins bitter makes success all the sweeter :)
Well said – Donegal fans feel the same. We’ve a great coach and many wonderful players in a squad that’s grown. Looking forward to the minors playing at Croke park with the seniors.
It’s so much more difficult to get to Croke Park through the ulster SFC so we’re just going to savour these moments until someone takes our place.
Donegals a lovely country and so are it’s people but I’d love to see that “football” system they play staked through the heart by the Dubs on Sunday.
Greatest manager of the modern era. That’s like a Fine Gael statement saying the country is no longer in debt and spend away mad pure horse shît.
Sounds like a manager that has very little faith in his team. Making all these excuses before a ball is even kicked!
Hope Donegal beat the S@#te out of Dublin, the Dubs have an unfair advantage over the other 31 counties. More money, more players, more training facilities, more jobs, only 7 players on dub panel with full time Jobs the rest are working for the Gaa. A joke and all of their games played at HQ.
Bitter much Alan
Clarke your just making the rest of the country look moronic
Kerry won more all Ireland’s than dublin
Kilkenny won more than any other county by a mile
They must have all the lucky jobs as well
‘only 7 players on dub panel with full time Jobs the rest are working for the Gaa’ – you couldn’t be more incorrect. You might want to do your research before you throw out incorrect info. Which of these 17 (not 7) work for the GAA?
http://www.dublingaa.ie/teams/senior-football
Bank clerk, account manager, accountant, business advisor, sales rep, tax consultant, stockbroker, Quantity Surveyor, 3 teachers, Leinster Rugby fitness coach, gym instructor, insurance clerk, h&s advisor, business owner, physio.
Alan Clarke, the fact of the matter is we are better than you and you are bitter about it. It has nothing to do with jobs or money. In fact if you’re not working, surely you have more time to practise and train? It has all to do with underage coaching and the fact that Dublin has left the rest of the country behind in that matter. Hard work = success. Teams like Mayo and Kerry understand this. People like you obviously don’t.
Ah jesus so having a job makes them better players…what the hell has happened to me then!?
Winning all Ireland’s is all the more sweater when you know how much it annoys some of our country brethren!! We’ll have 6 or 7 points to spare against Donegal.
Go and have a lie down in a dark room Cathal that child in your picture would talk more sense than you .
She is fairly advanced for her age john! I put it down to good genes!
I’m hoping for a good game on Sunday, with both team having complete opposite tactics it should be interesting to see how goes. As a Donegal person of course I would love to see us win but with the current form of the Dublin team it will require something special for Donegal to come away with a win. Like what was said in the article “Every single player in the side is crucial.” for Donegal, if all 15 players aren’t on top form on Sunday then it only makes the task of overcoming Dublin a lot harder, unless Dublin decide to have an off day which I high doubt will happen.
As for Donegal’s ‘system’ or play style, deal with it. At the end of the day they are there to win matches by whatever means necessary, not entertain or put on a ‘good show’
Agreed, I hope the Dubs win but this nonsense about Donegal’s style of play is tiresome. Play to your strengths – nobody in Donegal or the rest of the country would thank them for playing so called ‘open football’ and then getting beaten out the gate.
I think it will be an interesting clash of styles this time and Donegal are the first real AI contender or even Division 1 team that the Dubs have met so far.
Hel be remembered for making a shit Donegal team into a good side who play the worst type of football ever seen ! Hopefully the dubs give them a good spanking and we never see that horrible shit ever again from Donegal ! Dubs to win by 8
Hey why can’t we all just get along and accept that the Dubs are arrogant sophisticates with unlimited financial resources and guaranteed home advantage whereas the rest of the country is populated with uneducated boors who can hardly be trained to tie their own shoe laces?
Who said the rest of the country was ‘populated with uneducated boors who can hardly be trained to tie their own shoe laces’? If anyone’s intelligence or work etchic was questioned here it was the Dubs ‘Wow I didn’t expect to get any rebuttals until at least midday! Good job on getting up lads and lassies in Dublin, now hands up if any of you have collected the dole yet in your pyjamas!’
I said it Aideen. Its right there in the comment you just replied to.
Where ya from ?
I was going to just say I’m an arrogant sophisticate but realised that only the dubs would understand.
I’m from Dubbelin (and I don’t mean anything that I say).
It’s an illusion that Donegal play actual football. Roll on Sunday get rid of them once and for all out the championship
Sligo for Sam 2015! I got the ould jackeens riled up yippee! Do you anything in that job of yours aideen? Get them dishes washed for goodness sake! My mother would not be proud of me because I was brought up by a same sex couple! I love me daddies so I do, jaysus!
Sligo, the Accrington Stanley of GAA. As in “who the hell are they? Exactly!!”
Camogie that would be Cathal ~ the level of spelling on this thread is shocking. Dublin will beat Donegal by more than 12 points.
Aideen
Your are obviously the Dublin physio. Dublin are over hyped, I am pretty sure if you guys draw with Donegal that you would not have to go to Limerick or anywhere else to play your replay. You get an unfair advantage that is not afforded to other Counties, this is my point really.
Unfair advantage that has only been mentioned since Dublin started winning All Irelands again. It’s like a broken record here