2 Johnnies felt 'compelled' to release new episode on infamous GAA catfish story

Now, almost three years on, the 2 Johnnies story on the long-running catfishing takes an unexpected turn

The 2 Johnnies, made up of Tipperary natives Johnny B O'Brien, known as Johnny B and Johnny McMahon, known as Johnny Smacks. Picture: Ruth Medjber

The 2 Johnnies have released a third part of the infamous GAA catfish saga. The Tipperary duo originally brought the story of the GAA catfish to the nation’s attention in May 2022, which revealed a serial catfisher was in contact with over 30 men, including podcast host Johnny B O’Brien, known as Johnny B to the 2 Johnnies faithful.

A catfish is someone who sets up a fake online profile in order to trick people – usually those looking for love.

The 2 Johnnies warned at the start of the podcast that they did not want to make the episode but felt that they “had to”.

In the new episode, released on Monday, January 13, they kicked off proceedings by saying the story garnered so much interest that both Netflix and the BBC reached out to the duo to make a documentary on the story. The 2 Johnnies chose to go with the BBC on the condition that the catfisher, whose name was changed to Nicki in the story for anonymity, would tell her side of the story.

Nicki refused to take part in the documentary and production ultimately halted there.

What is the backstory?

Johnny B explained he had been messaging a woman he met online in 2021, detailing a complex web of connections, Instagram accounts and stories from other men in the first half of the two-part series.

After sending messages back and forth, dates were organised but never came to the fore as the catfish would cancel.

After sharing their first podcast on the topic, more people got in touch, alleging that they had also been catfished by the same woman under a number of different names.

Johnny O’Brien, aka Johnny B.

In their second episode on the GAA catfish, the story became even more astonishing when a well-known GAA player revealed that he believed he was also catfished by the same woman, while another person was in touch with a similar story that occurred nearly a decade previously.

Now, almost three years on, the story takes an unexpected turn.

New developments

In 2024, the 2 Johnnies were contacted by several men who believed they were being deceived by someone going by the name of ‘Aoife Kennedy’.

Upon investigation, it became clear that the original catfisher, known to the 2 Johnnies as Cora O’Donovan, had resurfaced under a new alias.

Listeners were told the account of County Conor (name changed for anonymity), who initially matched with Aoife on Tinder, and their conversations on Instagram led him to suspect something was off.

However, after chatting to Aoife’s so-called “brother” and “friend,” he resumed contact and even arranged for her to attend one of his matches in Croke Park.

The situation took a dark turn when Aoife claimed to have been raped by a GAA player, and alleged other traumatic experiences, including being forced to have an abortion. Conor, horrified by these claims, now fears false allegations could be spread about him or others. He has also been informed that photos of his child were posted on Aoife’s account without his consent. 

“In 2022, we never imagined revisiting The GAA Catfish. But as new stories emerged, we felt compelled to act. This episode is not about shaming anyone but about raising awareness and preventing further harm. It’s time to address this issue and call on social media companies to do more to combat fake profiles,” the 2 Johnnies said in a statement released to media.

Among those participating in the podcast is clinical psychologist Dr Malie Coyne, who addresses both the catfish and their victims, urging the perpetrators to seek help:

“Think of all the time and energy you’re sacrificing to deceive others,” she says. “You are worthy of a healthy relationship, but to get there, you need to seek help.”

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.