John Mahony
Encyclopedia
John Mahony was a famous Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
at with his local club Ballyduff and with the Kerry
senior inter-county team in the 1890s. Mahony captained Kerry to their only All-Ireland
hurling title in 1891.
, County Kerry in 1863. The son of John and Bridget (née Doran), he grew up in an area that was and still is famous for hurling
. Like many of his contemporaries Mahony earned his living from fishing and from thatching roofs. He later gained a reputation as a fine sportsman and as an outspoken individual.
John Mahony died at Christmas time in 1943.
with his local club in Ballyduff and enjoyed some success. He won his first senior county title in 1891 following a 1-0 to 0-2 defeat of Kilmoyley
in the county final. It was Ballyduff’s first victory in the county championship and their last until 1955.
in the Munster and All-Ireland championships. Mahony, one of the stalwarts of the team, was also appointed captain for the year.
The semi-final of the Munster Championship
saw Kerry take on Cork, the reigning All-Ireland champions. In spite of facing an uphill battle Mahony’s side easily defeated ‘the Rebels’ by 2-7 to 0-3. This victory allowed Kerry to advance to the Munster final where Limerick
provided the opposition. The death of Charles Stewart Parnell
and the political tensions of the era meant that the playing of game was in doubt; however, it eventually went ahead. Kerry, however, were defeated on that occasion by 1-2 to 1-1. Kerry, however, launched an objection and were successful, thus forcing a replay. Kerry were far superior in the second game, displaying their overhead and ground skills, and defeated Limerick by 2-4 to 0-1. This victory allowed Kerry to advance to the All-Ireland where Wexford
provided the opposition. The game itself was the second game of a triple-header played at Clonturk Park on 28 February 1892. The first game that day was the All-Ireland football semi-final between Dublin
and Cavan
. This was followed by the All-Ireland furling final and the programme of games finished with the All-Ireland football final between Cork and the winners of the first game. The hurling decider was an exciting affair with the Kerry team playing in their bare feet in grey jumpers with a gold band. Paddy 'Carr' Carroll scored Kerry’s first point after five minutes with the team’s second score coming after another twenty minutes. At half-time Kerry led by 0-2 to 0-1. The game, however, was not without controversy. At full-time the referee said that the score was 1-1 apiece and that extra-time was necessary. The Kerry team were reluctant to play the extra thirty minutes with captain Mahony one of the most vocal opponents. It was only after being persuaded by the chairman of the Kerry County Board that the team decided to line out for a third half hour of hurling. Both sides upped their games considerably for the only occasion that extra time was played in an All-Ireland final. Kerry went on to win the game by 2-3 to 1-5 to capture their first and only All-Ireland
title.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
at with his local club Ballyduff and with the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county team in the 1890s. Mahony captained Kerry to their only All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
hurling title in 1891.
Biography
John Mahony was born in Kilmore, BallyduffBallyduff
Four villages in the Republic of Ireland, and a housing estate in Northern Ireland, are named Ballyduff.*Ballyduff, County Kerry*Ballyduff, County Waterford near Lismore, County Waterford...
, County Kerry in 1863. The son of John and Bridget (née Doran), he grew up in an area that was and still is famous for hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
. Like many of his contemporaries Mahony earned his living from fishing and from thatching roofs. He later gained a reputation as a fine sportsman and as an outspoken individual.
John Mahony died at Christmas time in 1943.
Club
Mahony played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club in Ballyduff and enjoyed some success. He won his first senior county title in 1891 following a 1-0 to 0-2 defeat of Kilmoyley
Kilmoyley GAA
Kilmoyley are a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Kerry, Ireland. There are located in North Kerry, the main Hurling area of Kerry. They are one of the most successful hurling clubs in Kerry and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling...
in the county final. It was Ballyduff’s first victory in the county championship and their last until 1955.
Inter-county
Ballyduff’s county championship victory allowed the club to represent KerryKerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
in the Munster and All-Ireland championships. Mahony, one of the stalwarts of the team, was also appointed captain for the year.
The semi-final of the Munster Championship
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
saw Kerry take on Cork, the reigning All-Ireland champions. In spite of facing an uphill battle Mahony’s side easily defeated ‘the Rebels’ by 2-7 to 0-3. This victory allowed Kerry to advance to the Munster final where Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
provided the opposition. The death of Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
and the political tensions of the era meant that the playing of game was in doubt; however, it eventually went ahead. Kerry, however, were defeated on that occasion by 1-2 to 1-1. Kerry, however, launched an objection and were successful, thus forcing a replay. Kerry were far superior in the second game, displaying their overhead and ground skills, and defeated Limerick by 2-4 to 0-1. This victory allowed Kerry to advance to the All-Ireland where Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
provided the opposition. The game itself was the second game of a triple-header played at Clonturk Park on 28 February 1892. The first game that day was the All-Ireland football semi-final between Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and Cavan
Cavan GAA
The Cavan County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Cavan GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Cavan...
. This was followed by the All-Ireland furling final and the programme of games finished with the All-Ireland football final between Cork and the winners of the first game. The hurling decider was an exciting affair with the Kerry team playing in their bare feet in grey jumpers with a gold band. Paddy 'Carr' Carroll scored Kerry’s first point after five minutes with the team’s second score coming after another twenty minutes. At half-time Kerry led by 0-2 to 0-1. The game, however, was not without controversy. At full-time the referee said that the score was 1-1 apiece and that extra-time was necessary. The Kerry team were reluctant to play the extra thirty minutes with captain Mahony one of the most vocal opponents. It was only after being persuaded by the chairman of the Kerry County Board that the team decided to line out for a third half hour of hurling. Both sides upped their games considerably for the only occasion that extra time was played in an All-Ireland final. Kerry went on to win the game by 2-3 to 1-5 to capture their first and only All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title.