Two-time All-Ireland winning manager John O'Mahony has passed away aged 71.
O'Mahony guided Galway to memorable All-Ireland titles in 1998 and 2001 with his team renowned for their entertaining brand of Gaelic football.
The Mayo native also led Leitrim to a famous Connacht title in 1994 and is widely regarded as one of the best managers in the history of the game.
A former Fine Gael TD and senator also, O'Mahony first became involved in politics in 2007 when he was elected as a TD for Mayo.
He served in that position until 2016 before going onto work as a senator for four years, having been nominated for the Seanad by Enda Kenny.
24 September 2001; John O'Mahony, Galway football manager, right, and Galway captain Gary Fahey pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup as they prepare to leave for Galway from Heuston Station, Dublin Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
All the while, he continued to work in Gaelic football managing Galway club side Salthill Knocknacarra most recently.
He took them to the 2022 Galway final which they lost by a point to Moycullen showing that he was still one of the best around.
He also worked in the inter-county set-ups of Leitrim and Carlow in recent years.
He is the most successful manager Connacht championship winning four times with Galway, three times with Mayo added to that victory with Leitrim.
Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who paid tribute to O'Mahony, who is survived by his wife Geraldine and five daughters Grainne, Niamh, Rhona, Deirdre and Cliodhna.
"It is with great sadness that I have heard of the passing of our good friend and colleague, John O’Mahony," Harris wrote on X.
"A sporting hero. A champion. A gentleman. Thinking of his wife Geraldine, his 5 daughters, his grandchildren & extended family. May he rest in peace."
It is with great sadness that I have heard of the passing of our good friend and colleague, John O’Mahony. A sporting hero. A champion. A gentleman. Thinking of his wife Geraldine, his 5 daughters, his grandchildren & extended family. May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/5v9Bau31dp
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 7, 2024
