Post by fitz on Oct 18, 2014 22:58:39 GMT
I just couldn't let autumn slide into winter after the great triumph on September 21 without making a specific callout and tribute to the warrior from Rathmore , Aidan O'Mahoney. From 2004 through 2008 he was a mainstay of the half back line, and a consistently high performer in Championship football. One memorable block in the breakthrough 2006 quarter with Armagh stands out when we were down to 14 men. Then the incident with Donnacha O'Connor in the 08 semi final definitely had a domino effect negatively directing his career. This was obviously one he had to suck up, to be fair rightly so as it was an inappropriate reaction from a hardened footballer. A sub in 2009 with a couple of mins in the final only then more disappointment in 2010 with discipline issues. He did recover again and was in the 11 final team again, the one that got away. Moved toward full back in 2012, but we came up short against Donegal. Into 2013 and he's a squad member against coming in late in the game against Dublin and not really involved, and backed off McMenamin, although others were at fault before McMenamin got that far.
So Paul Galvin, Tomas O'Sé both first 15 players retire, brilliant players, everything given to the cause, no more could be asked. They are a similar age profile I think 34. Aidan a squad player at this time, hangs tough.
So, to the league in 2014. A sub in the first game against Dublin comes in late, and gets compromised and an easy target for a Philly McMahon shoulder. Undeterred he plays through the league, with mixed game time and mixed performances. Personally I thought we needed his physicality even though I thought his speed had regressed almost too much. Eamonn persists with him and there's more to this man in 2014 than what we're seeing in the league. The Championship arrives, ok against Clare, but against Cork a more steadier performance albeit in a one sided victory. Against Galway he played well but was part of a collective malaise for the first goal and also whilst not Lundy's direct marker, could have had the shape organised better. He was substituted shortly after, a little harshly I feel. He was restored again for Mayo and from here on the gears are starting to click, excellent in the first half, just one bad pick pocket for a score when Mayo were rampant in early second half. His marking, tackling and reading of the game that day were top drawer, the old 'Mahoney' was really back. Inspirational as part of and inspirational team performance in the replay. Most notably for me his ball carrying was becoming almost bullet proof, his confidence growing all the time. You could see that this man was now not just a best position choice, he was like James, David, Star becoming an irreplaceable cog in the team and the drive towards Sam.
But Christ the final, it was thought he was the best man for Murphy, he was without question, we thought if he could limit Murphy even he'd have done a great job. Aidan put in an unbelievable performance not just on Murphy but all round. One missed point attempt, and that's pedantic, is the only thing you could find in critique against him. Given Murphy's form from the Dublin game, Aidan's performance on Murphy was one of the finest delivered in the entire championship this year, and simply not overly highlighted because it's in defence. Every time in possession the confidence was high he'd break the line and trigger an attack. The swapping of the ball to the hand furthest away from the tackle, free hand out and centre of gravity driving away the opponent. Quality.
There's a lot of setbacks listed above, but the testament is that most other players with a few medals in the pocket would have cashed in the chips, but he didn't and wouldn't and fought his way back again and again. We wouldn't have won this All Ireland without Aidan O'Mahoney, no doubt in my mind, and no disrespect to Mark Griffin whose time is coming. We needed the experience he brought with a couple of the other elders. When the challenge was biggest so was he. More than even Star, I was most delighted for him. I hope he stays on. Status upgrade to legend.
So Paul Galvin, Tomas O'Sé both first 15 players retire, brilliant players, everything given to the cause, no more could be asked. They are a similar age profile I think 34. Aidan a squad player at this time, hangs tough.
So, to the league in 2014. A sub in the first game against Dublin comes in late, and gets compromised and an easy target for a Philly McMahon shoulder. Undeterred he plays through the league, with mixed game time and mixed performances. Personally I thought we needed his physicality even though I thought his speed had regressed almost too much. Eamonn persists with him and there's more to this man in 2014 than what we're seeing in the league. The Championship arrives, ok against Clare, but against Cork a more steadier performance albeit in a one sided victory. Against Galway he played well but was part of a collective malaise for the first goal and also whilst not Lundy's direct marker, could have had the shape organised better. He was substituted shortly after, a little harshly I feel. He was restored again for Mayo and from here on the gears are starting to click, excellent in the first half, just one bad pick pocket for a score when Mayo were rampant in early second half. His marking, tackling and reading of the game that day were top drawer, the old 'Mahoney' was really back. Inspirational as part of and inspirational team performance in the replay. Most notably for me his ball carrying was becoming almost bullet proof, his confidence growing all the time. You could see that this man was now not just a best position choice, he was like James, David, Star becoming an irreplaceable cog in the team and the drive towards Sam.
But Christ the final, it was thought he was the best man for Murphy, he was without question, we thought if he could limit Murphy even he'd have done a great job. Aidan put in an unbelievable performance not just on Murphy but all round. One missed point attempt, and that's pedantic, is the only thing you could find in critique against him. Given Murphy's form from the Dublin game, Aidan's performance on Murphy was one of the finest delivered in the entire championship this year, and simply not overly highlighted because it's in defence. Every time in possession the confidence was high he'd break the line and trigger an attack. The swapping of the ball to the hand furthest away from the tackle, free hand out and centre of gravity driving away the opponent. Quality.
There's a lot of setbacks listed above, but the testament is that most other players with a few medals in the pocket would have cashed in the chips, but he didn't and wouldn't and fought his way back again and again. We wouldn't have won this All Ireland without Aidan O'Mahoney, no doubt in my mind, and no disrespect to Mark Griffin whose time is coming. We needed the experience he brought with a couple of the other elders. When the challenge was biggest so was he. More than even Star, I was most delighted for him. I hope he stays on. Status upgrade to legend.