Rebel star O’Mahony making Gabriel’s proud

IT was a debut that tumbled off a dream script. Time was slipping away on Cork’s All-Ireland minor football dream at the start of August with Armagh having taken a firm grip on their quarter-final.

The Rebels launched one last-ditch attack to overturn a two-points deficit in injury-time and were rewarded when sub Stephen O’Mahony was on the end of a move to poke a close-range shot to the net.

It was a memorable moment. O’Mahony had already made history when introduced in the 47th minute that afternoon, becoming the first player from Gabriel Rangers to grace the sod of Croke Park. It was a milestone for the West Cork club who draw their players from the villages of Ballydehob and Schull. Club PRO Noel Coakley retired recently as principal in Ballydehob NS and has kept a close eye on O’Mahony’s progress.