AFTER 13 SEASONS and 70 championship appearances as a Kerry senior footballer, Aidan O’Mahony hung up his boots today.
There’s been no shortage of tributes to the Rathmore defender who walks away with five All-Ireland senior medals and three All-Star awards to his name.
“He brought that leadership quality, he was a big character and really enjoyed bringing on the younger fellas into the panel over his time,” remarked teammate Donnchadh Walsh, speaking on the GAA’s Facebook page at today’s launch of the Allianz Football League at Croke Park.
“He will be missed on the field but in the dressing-room as well. I was surprised [to learn of the retirement] because throughout his career he has kept in incredible physical shape.
“He has had his fair few bad injuries as well. The physios down in Kerry he used to cause them nightmares because he would never stay off the field, he wanted to train every time through any kind of an injury. It showed his competitiveness and determination.
“He loved the physical side of things of the GAA, the physical contact in Gaelic football, and every day he would be out on the field he brought that physicality into his game. He is going to missed.”
Several other current and former Kerry players paid tribute to O’Mahony.
Marc Ó Sé
Darran O’Sullivan
Kieran Donaghy
Killian Young
Eoin Brosnan
Mike Quirke
Paul Galvin
Declan O’Sullivan
Bryan Sheehan
Colm Cooper
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There was also plenty praise for O’Mahony from opponents during his inter-county career.
Alan Dillon (Mayo)
Alan Brogan (Dublin)
Steven McDonnell (Armagh)
Brian Fox (Tipperary)
Owen Mulligan (Tyrone)
John Doyle (Kildare)
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And there were a fair few Kilkenny hurling figures who had praise for O’Mahony as well.
Jackie Tyrrell
Paul Murphy
Eoin Larkin
Richie Hogan
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