Padraic Joyce paid an emotional tribute to the late John O’Mahony after Galway’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final victory over Donegal.

Joyce was an integral part of the Galway team which O’Mahony – who passed away last week – managed to All-Ireland glory in 1998 and 2001. Before last Sunday’s game, the Galway players formed the shape of a ‘V’ as a tribute to the vanguard that O’Mahony was.

“When the news came up to us last Sunday morning, we were obviously heartbroken,” the current Galway manager told reporters.

“Obviously shed a tear because the man has meant so much to me personally and to Galway players. Our WhatsApp group there from ‘98, ‘01, was hopping.

“Lads were just really, really heartbroken and you can't be heartbroken unless you love someone. We loved him as a man, he was a great manager, he was a brilliant friend. Really good mentor as well to me over the last couple of years and I'll miss talking to him, I'll miss his phone calls, I'll miss his advice, our thoughts are with Geraldine and the kids all week.

“It was a tough, tough week to be honest but we had to try and separate the emotion of that and get prepared for the game, which I thought we did well. In fairness I think he got a fantastic tribute there beforehand, it was great.”

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