All-Ireland winning Galway manager John O'Mahony passes away

The genial former schoolteacher also managed his native Mayo and Leitrim and was voted into the Dáil as a TD for Mayo in 2007 and remained one until 2016 after which he was nominated to the Seanad.

Mayo's John O'Mahony in 2017 after being presented with the Gaelic Writers Association Hall of Fame award.

Two-time All-Ireland winning football manager John O’Mahony, the former Fine Gael TD and Senator, has passed away.

The Ballaghaderreen clubman (71) died on Sunday morning. He is survived by his wife Geraldine and five daughters Grainne, Niamh, Rhona, Deirdre and Cliodhna.

O’Mahony guided Galway to All-Ireland SFC titles in 1998 and 2001. Prior to that, he brought his native Mayo to the 1989 All-Ireland final where they were defeated by Cork. In 1994, he managed Leitrim to their Connacht SFC title in 67 years.

O’Mahony returned to the Mayo role in 2007 until 2010 and won an eighth Nestor Cup in ’09 (Mayo 1988, ’89, 2009; Leitrim ’94; Galway 1998, 2000, ’02, ’03). No manager has won as many nor has any outside manager claimed a Sam Maguire Cup since 2001. Galway’s All-Ireland success in 1998 was their first in 32 years.

In 2022 and ‘23, O’Mahony was in charge of Salthill-Knocknacarra and they reached a county final in the former when they lost out to Moycullen.

🕯️John O'Mahony, R.I.P🕯️

We are deeply saddened to share the news that our former All-Ireland winning football manager has passed away 🙏
John guided Galway to the 1998 and 2001 All-Ireland SFC titles during a wonderful era.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Full tribute to follow pic.twitter.com/zYEUemB8tS

— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) July 7, 2024

Born in Magheraboy, Kilmovee two years after Mayo’s last All-Ireland success and living “in the last house in County Mayo before the Roscommon border", O’Mahony won All-Ireland minor (1971) and U21 (’74) medals with the county. He was a corner-back in two senior Connacht finals.

O’Mahony started his inter-county managerial career leading Mayo’s U21s to the 1983 All-Ireland crown.

The genial former schoolteacher was voted into the Dáil as a TD for Mayo in 2007 and remained one until 2016 after which he was nominated to the Seanad.

He retired from politics in 2020. Later that year, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, blood cancer, for which he had a stem cell transplant. O’Mahony was then diagnosed with prostate cancer and had recently been fundraising for the North West Hospice & SHOUT (the Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust).

The Taoiseach has described John O’Mahony as a "sporting hero, a champion and a gentleman", following his death.

Leading condolences, Simon Harris said the Fine Gael family has lost a "great friend and colleague" adding that the people of the West of Ireland have lost an incredible advocate and champion.

Mr Harris said: "On the sporting field, John left a stunning legacy in Mayo, Leitrim and Galway, where they still talk about his All-Ireland wins of ‘98 and ‘01. He was a leader, he made people believe in their own abilities and he delivered at the highest levels.

"On the political field, John’s determination to deliver was no less fierce than in sport. He was decent, hardworking, effective and respected."

He added: "On a personal level, John was an established TD when I first entered the Dail in 2011 and like many colleagues, his quiet and assured support and word in the ear to ‘keep the faith’ was invaluable."

Mr Harris offered his sympathies to his wife Gerardine, his five daughters and his grandchildren, "I’m so sorry for your loss".

President Michael D Higgins described the former Galway manager as "one of the greatest football managers in Connacht history".

President Higgins credited O'Mahony for bringing his teams "to levels of success that they had not experienced for decades", with his innovative approach that was "far ahead of its time".

"For each of these achievements, including two All Ireland titles with Galway, he will be remembered with the greatest of affection," he said.

He added: "Beyond the football field, he will be further remembered for his dedicated service as a TD, and later Senator, serving the people of Mayo".

The president extended his condolences to O'Mahony's family, adding: "May I express my deepest sympathies to John's wife Geraldine, to his daughters Gráinne, Niamh, Rhona, Deirdre and Clíodhna, and to all of his family, friends and many colleagues in the GAA, politics and beyond".

"Síocháin síoraí dá anam lách uasal."