John O'Mahony (Mayo politician)

For other people named John O'Mahony, see John O'Mahony (disambiguation).

Gerardine Towey

​

(m. 1978)​

John O'Mahony
O'Mahony in 2016
Senator
In office 8 June 2016 –29 June 2020
Children	5
Alma mater	St Patrick's College, Maynooth University College Galway

John Christopher O'Mahony (8 June 1953 – 6 July 2024) was an Irish Gaelic football manager and Fine Gael politician who served as a Senator from 2016 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 2007 to 2016. ^[1]

Early and personal life

O'Mahony was a native of Kilmovee, County Mayo. He was a graduate of University College Galway. ^{[2] [3]} He taught for many years at St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon.

O'Mahony was married to Gerardine Towey; together, they had five daughters.

O'Mahony died in Galway on 6 July 2024, after being diagnosed with cancer in later years. He was 71 years old. ^{[4] [5]}

Sports career

O'Mahony managed several county teams in Gaelic football. First he managed his native Mayo from 1987 until 1991. He then guided Leitrim to the 1994 Connacht Senior Football Championship title, while managing the team between 1992 and 1996. He then led Galway to two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles in 1998 and 2001, while managing the team between 1997 and 2004. ^[6] In 2009, he was named at 114 in the Sunday Tribune's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History. ^[6]

Political career

O'Mahony was elected as a TD for the Mayo constituency at the 2007 general election. ^[7] He lost his seat at the 2016 general election. ^[7] In the 2016 general election, he stood in the Galway West constituency, due to the Mayo constituency being reduced from five to four seats, and Fine Gael having four outgoing TDs in the Mayo constituency. ^[7]

In May 2016, he was nominated by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the 25th Seanad. ^[8]

He was the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport.

References

1. "John O'Mahony". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
2. "Former NUI Galway Students, including Taoiseach, take senior roles in Cabinet". Spring 2011. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
3. "NUI Galway students and alumni head for Croke Park with Mayo senior football finalists". 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2018. The event starts at 11am and the panel will include NUI Galway graduates, John Maughan, John O'Mahony and Tommy Carr...
4. Fogarty, John (7 July 2024). "All-Ireland winning Galway manager John O'Mahony passes away". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
5. Keys, Colm (7 July 2024). "Two-time All-Ireland winning manager John O'Mahony dies aged 71". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
6. McEvoy, Enda (4 January 2009). "125 Most Influential People In GAA History". Sunday Tribune . Archived from the original on 9 August 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
7. "John O'Mahony". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
8. "O'Mahony and Mulherin among Taoiseach's Seanad nominees". Connaught Telegraph. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.

Gaelic games
Preceded by Páidí Ó Sé	All-Ireland SFC-winning manager 1998	Succeeded by Seán Boylan
Preceded by Páidí Ó Sé	All-Ireland SFC-winning manager 2001	Succeeded by Joe Kernan