UNLIKE MOST OF his Dublin team-mates, Philly McMahon knows what it feels like to lose an All-Ireland final in Croke Park.

Even as he raised Sam Maguire in front of a jubilant Hill 16 on Sunday, it didn’t fully make up for the pain of St Patrick’s Day.

McMahon was on the wrong end of a heartbreaking loss as he lined out for Ballymun Kickhams in their first-ever club championship final back in March.

The Dubliners were set for victory only to be denied by an injury-time point from the boot of St Brigid’s Frankie Dolan.

The margin was a single point again on Sunday but this time, McMahon left Headquarters with a smile — as well as a commemorative bruise under his eye.

“It wouldn’t have been nice to lose two All-Irelands in a year,” he said after the 2-12 to 1-14 win against Mayo.

I’d feel for the club lads as well. I don’t think it makes up for it but it was a great feeling to win one.

McMahon’s inclusion in the full-back line at the expense of Kevin O’Brien was Jim Gavin’s only change to the side which beat Kerry in the semis.

After missing out on a starting place in the 2011 final and coming on as a second-half sub, McMahon was determined to make it count.

“I only found out Friday when he picked the team. I was just delighted to get the call after coming on in the last game.

I missed out on the 2011 slot so to get the start this time around was really good. But you just have to hide the emotions and get ready to play the game, like you’d normally do.

Now the aim for McMahon and his young team-mates is to defend their league and Championship double in 2014.

“You look at how long your career is in Gaelic football. You’ll be lucky if you have ten seasons so you have to do what you can and take what you can. We’ve two in the bag now and hopefully we can push on.”

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