'He had a massive impact on me personally'

July 24, 2024

Galway's Rob Finnerty and Chrissy McKaigue of Derry ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Rob Finnerty has paid a glowing tribute to the late, great John O’Mahony.

Like his father Anthony, who played in two All-Ireland finals for Mayo in 1989 and ’96, the Galway forward played under O’Mahony during his two years in charge of Salthill-Knocknacarra.

“He had a massive impact on me personally. Even just as a person, let alone as a footballer,” Finnerty told reporters at the Galway All-Ireland final press night.

"He was great and he meant a lot to all of us. In Salthill, he came in and he almost changed the culture in the club.

"He had a huge impact on our team in a short period of time and he brought that belief to a dressing-room. Straight away, from the day we met him, we knew we had an opportunity to go and contest the Frank Fox anyway and we almost won it.

“My dad always spoke very highly of him and he trained him as well.”


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