Old friends, new targets for O’Mahony

IF YOU’RE a Kerry footballer, this week has been about keeping the head down and the ear cocked.

The bush telegraph’s been humming with hype and hyperbole, courtesy of Jack O’Connor insights into what goes to make All-Ireland winners. Most of his charges from the last three seasons are feigning indifference; some justifiably believe the tactical revelations are too current, and should be between the squad, not book covers. The others? “Yerra, I’ll leave it off for a while, I’ve heard plenty about it already,” said one.

What is self-evident is the regard O’Connor had and has for the blue collar work ethic of Paul Galvin and Aidan O’Mahony, the teacher’s pets. Not that the duo escape a few dawks from their erstwhile coach.

O’Connor reveals how, during last year’s training camp in Portugal, O’Mahony and Mike McCarthy took advantage of an approved night on the tiles by repeating the dose the following night, and missing a training session. A County Board official was instructed to rise them for a rollicking, but was sent on his way by O’Mahony with the alleged flea-flick: .. “and close the door gently on your way out.”

The Rathmore man may not appreciate its airing, but O’Mahony won’t be too miffed; he’s plenty to be thankful to O’Connor and his management team for.

“I’d say himself and Paul (Galvin) flourished because they started getting a lot of game time under our management,” said ex-selector, Ger O’Keeffe. “Aidan would be very strong mentally; wouldn’t say too much to you, but would have enormous physical and mental resilience.”

O’Mahony has had good reason to call on these attributes over the last 12 months. He’s gone from the high of a man-of-the-match performance in the All-Ireland final win against Mayo to a protracted court case which almost severed his career in the Gardaí. Both ended with his reputation intact and enhanced, but that will count for nothing when the rivals from across the border come calling to Killarney tomorrow.

“The build-up has been a lot quieter this year,” the 27-year-old agrees. “We got the same number of points in the League, but there was so little hype about the Waterford game, that we’ve sort of come in under the radar. With the Dr Crokes boys missing, it meant a few unfamiliar faces coming in, which was no bad thing.”

Some old faces and friends departed, however. Allstar defensive brothers like Seamus Moynihan and Mike McCarthy. “A serious motivator on the field,” says O’Mahony of the Glenflesk legend. “He is someone who actually inspires those around him. It truly is the end of an era when someone like Seamo and Mike Mac goes.”

The East Kerry grapevine meant that O’Mahony knew of Moynihan’s reputation while still a teenager. Kieran Donaghy wasn’t the only man last year who had a dream he’d one day line up at Crokes alongside Seamo.

“He was an unbelievable reader of the game, a fierce man to come out with a 40-60 ball, like in the semi-final against Cork last year when he prevented a certain goal. You’d have to learn things off someone like that.”

Whether the Rathmore man is ready to step straight into Moynihan’s No 6 jersey is a moot point. “I’ve played there for seven or eight years with the club,” he says. “Wherever you play as a defender, the first priority will always be to keep your man scoreless. It’s just a different job.”

Tomorrow, that job will probably be Aghada’s Pearse O’Neill. “O’Neill will probably suit Aidan,” Ger O’Keeffe muses. “But I’d be interested to see how he manages with a Brian McGuigan type centre forward.”

Together with his Rathmore compadre, Tom O’Sullivan, O’Mahony forms a new backbone to Kerry’s Munster final defence. New means different. And different isn’t always welcome. The defence will also contain a pair of Championship greenhorns in Padraig Reidy and Killian Young. It’s an obvious target area for Cork.

“Michael Cussen is the new dimension, but Cork were well able to use their physique last year too. They are a big side, and Graham Canty is also back now.”

Too good for Kerry so, Aidan? “Ah we’re going alright,” he smiles. “The likes of Darren O’Sullivan are chomping at the bit, and he’s not even starting. That’s why the training games we have are more beneficial than challenges. You’ve always got someone breathing down your neck.”

Including a new coach, which, irrespective of the chemistry with Jack O’Connor is never a bad thing.

“Pat’s involved all his life in Kerry football, and he’s the sort that you’d stop and listen to when he has something to say. There’s a good degree of continuity too in terms of John Sugrue’s physical training. “It’s all short bursts, taking up where Pat (Flanagan) left off last year.”

Kerry will be hoping to do the same tomorrow.