Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
A very sad time as we lose a giant in the world of sport and politics as he is laid to rest today. My deepest sympathies to the O’Mahony family and friends on this sad loss as well as Oireachtas colleagues who knew John so well.
John O’Mahony grew up with a love of football and Fine Gael on county boundaries between Mayo & Roscommon living in Ballaghaderreen. He took on the role of manager of the Galway football team and brought All-Ireland glory in 1998 & 2001.
He served as a TD for Mayo with success in the 2007 and 2011 elections and nominated to Seanad Éireann in 2016 by then Mayo Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
He was able to motivate and inspire people and players and he represented the people of the West with pride.
John’s continued interest in public life and supporting new candidates was evident when I met him during the local elections only a few weeks ago. John supported the campaign of his nephew Cllr Gareth Scahill in Tully's Hotel Castlerea and so proud when Gareth won his seat in June. He was also an iconic guest of honour at Cllr Alan Harney's campaign launch in Gullanes Hotel in Ballinasloe. He even recalled the 1998 All-Ireland win for Galway and stopping in Ballinasloe on the way home.
My condolences to his wife Gerardine, and daughters Gráinne, Niamh, Rhona, Deirdre and Cliodhna.
John O'Mahony was a champion and his goal was excellence as a player and manager and as a public representative for Fine Gael. May John rest in peace.
