O'Mahony, Johnny
August 16, 2012
Huge farewell to inspirational sportsman Johnny O'Mahony
Kanturk mourned the passing of one of its favourite sons on the death of the great John 'Johnny' O'Mahony last week.
A larger than life character, Johnny had a word for everyone and a wonderful rapport with all age groups. Leaving behind a record of a lifetime of immense achievements both on and off the football pitch, Johnny's death removes from the GAA community one of the most respected and influential figures.
Holding an incredible passionate interest about sport and regularly recounting his playing days, Johnny cherished many highlights from his playing days to manager of the all conquering Duhallow over 40 football team and as a selector with the victorious Cork sides.
Such an involvement in GAA, together with an interest in other sports from bowling to basketball and handball, ensured a fistful of memories to savour.
Johnny participated in both hurling and football, becoming a constant at intercounty level who was noted for his impeccable sportsmanship.
For a man reared on a morning diet of two raw eggs and a drop of sherry, the GAA became a way of life for Johnny from an early age, initially as a player and in later years as a respected coach, selector and referee.
Johnny's interest grew from the encouragement of influencal school teacher Mr Higgins and in his early days a familiar broadcasting voice thrilled him.
"Football and hurling were standard topics of conversation, listening to Micheal O'Hehir on radio brought the excitement from the playing fields into homes," he said after claiming The Corkman Sports Stars Hall of Fame Award in 2001.
In a distinguished career, Johnny collected five Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship titles, culminating on a county title in 1969. At football, Johnny helped Kanturk win three divisional titles, from which his consistency had won recognition in selection on the county minor football team.
"During that time, I had many sleepless nights before trial games, absolutely terrified to make a mistake," he once remarked.
However, Johnny's versatility and adaptability won recognition and early progress onto the county senior football team between 1959 and 1970, and selection on Munster teams in the Railway Cup.
Indeed, Johnny had few peers as a corner back yet, for all his consistency, the only honours came on back-to-back Munster Senior Football Championship titles won in 1966/67.
At hurling, Johnny figured on a Cork team defeated by Limerick in the Munster Intermediate Championship Final. Meath proved a bogey team, Cork losing to the Royal county in the 1967 All Ireland Final, Johnny included alongside fellow clubman Mick O'Loughlin.
Johnny rated Paddy Doherty from Down as his toughest opponent and there were no equals to the best hurler and footballer viewed by O'Mahony, with Christy Ring and Mick O'Connell the unquestionable paragons. "I've never seen anybody to equal Ring, his artistry, skill and strength were uncanny. O'Connell's fetching and ability to find a player left or right with a pass was special," he said.
As a referee, Johnny won respect on officiating in both football and hurling grades under the divisional and county boards with eight Duhallow finals to his credit.
And Johnny also knew success as a coach to numerous clubs from Kilshannig, Inniscarra, Liscaroll, Buttevant and others.
Back in his native heath, Johnny revived football fortunes in the North West Cork division on guiding Duhallow back from the doldrums to contest the 1982 County Senior Football Championship Final, though second best to St. Finbarrs. That laid the groundwork for Duhallow to become kingpins in late years.
The spur behind Duhallow's success earned Johnny a position onto the county senior selection committee in 1983 where Cork broke Kerry's winning sequence with a dramatic victory in the Munster Final on a flash flood Sunday afternoon at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
However, Dublin dented Cork's hopes of progress into the All Ireland Final, despite a replay.
That enthusiasm saw Johnny O'Mahony become involved with the County Junior Football selection team, ultimate glory coming his way on coaching Cork to outright honours in 1997, and Johnny returned as a selector when Cork regained the All Ireland title in 2001.
All through his life, Johnny remained hooked on outdoor recreational activity. Whether it was throwing the bowl at Sallys Cross on a Sunday morning, following his beloved Kanturk or involvement with an intercounty team, Johnny was a tireless worker and, no matter what game, that loyalty, dedication and sheer love for sport remained steadfast and a source of inspiration for others to follow.
Despite all his fame and acclaim, though, he was a modest and unassuming man. Johnny served the community in many facets, always in a quiet and dignified manner, enjoying his chores for the betterment of his many neighbours, friends and townspeople.
Close and long time friend Frank Healy described him during an emotional eulogy as a special person who regularly displayed warmth, compassion and humour.
He said that he was a very privileged man to have known Johnny O'Mahony for 60 odd years and described him as one of the most outstanding footballers he had ever had the good fortune to have seen.
And he extended special words of condolences to Johnny's wife, Theresa, on her deep loss.
The huge crowds that turned out for the removal of the remains, mass and burial bore testimony to the popularity of one of Kanturk's finest gentlemen. GAA units from Kanturk, Duhallow, county board, members of the 1967 Cork team and bowling friends paid their respects by forming guards of honour.
Johnny will be missed by many, none more so than his wife, Theresa, to whom sympathy is extended to her and bereaved family members.
Courtesy of The Corkman, Thursday, August 16th, 2012.
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