Kerry's Aidan O'Mahony retires

[Fuzzman]

Aidan O'Mahony has announced his retirement from inter-county football.

During a glittering career O'Mahony, who made his Kerry Championship debut in 2004, won five All Ireland medals.

The Rathmore clubman also was involved in three Allianz Football League and eight Munster Championship victories for Kerry.

"I feel the time is now appropriate for me to step away from the Kerry team," O'Mahony said in a statement released on Monday morning.

"It's been an absolute honour for me to wear the green and gold jersey for Kerry for the past 14 years at senior level and I leave having great respect for all the talented players I have shared my footballing career with. I am extremely grateful for all the support my teammates gave me down through the years and I have made friendships for life.

"I have been incredibly fortunate to represent my Club (Rathmore), County, Province and Country over the years. It was an honour to share the dressing room with such brilliant players throughout the last 14 years with Kerry. I have utmost respect for every player whom I have played against as we all put on our county colours with a common goal in mind."

Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice praised O'Mahony's rich contribution. "On behalf of the management and players I would like to congratulate Aidan O'Mahony on his retirement from the Kerry senior football team.

"Aidan was an incredible servant to Kerry and gave everything he had to the cause over a career that stretches back to the 2003 season when he was first brought into the squad by Paidí (Ó Sé). He was ferociously proud of representing Kerry and this was clear every time he put on the Green and Gold.

"When Jack (O'Connor) took over in 2004 Aidan got his opportunity early in the League and he did not leave go of that jersey afterwards. He ended up winning the first of 5 All Ireland medals the following September. He has won it all in terms of individual and collective honours. Over the years he has played in every defensive position for Kerry and performed every role to distinction from man marker to attacking half back, from a holding centre back to a sweeper in recent years. He was the ultimate pro in terms of the way he prepared himself for training and matches on and off the field."

Fitzmaurice also highlighted the 'leadership' role O'Mahony occupied in recent campaigns for Kerry. "His leadership was of particular importance in the last few years as a lot of younger players have been integrated into the panel. He passed on the baton and helped these players to understand what it means to be a Kerry footballer.

"Honesty underpinned everything he did and his selflessness manifested itself in the way he was happy to advise and encourage everyone, even the players he was in direct competition with for a position; a rarity. He personified leaving the jersey in a better place.

"Aidan was a warrior for Kerry right up until the last minute of his last game for Kerry last August. I wish him and Denise all the best for the future."


Hell of a tough player who wasn't scared to mix it with the best of them.

[seafoid]

Special thanks to Mayo and Cork for the All Irelands.

[armaghniac]

Sure he'll be dancing with joy.

[GetOverTheBar]

A tremendous player - not afraid to mix it at all, something I admired very much about him. Just the 5 AI's...not bad

[Jinxy]

[joemamas]

Funny that's how I will remember him.

Don't mean to be overly critical, but IMO, he is a perfect example of a guy who should have hung up his boots a good few years before he actually did.
Could not believe he started for Kerry V Dublin in 2015 final. His rugby style tackle resulting in his dismissal kind of sums it up.

[BennyCake]

I agree. His reputation will always be tainted by his swandive and his handling of Michael Murphy. A cute Kerry hoor, you might say... which is probably why he needs a strong belt to hold up his trousers, with those medals in his pocket.

[Croí na hÉireann]

Funny that's how I will remember him.

Don't mean to be overly critical, but IMO, he is a perfect example of a guy who should have hung up his boots a good few years before he actually did.
Could not believe he started for Kerry V Dublin in 2015 final. His rugby style tackle resulting in his dismissal kind of sums it up.

Walking away from Coldrick with him shouting "Aidan, Aidan, Aidan, AIDAN!" is another one.

[orangeman]

"Aidan O'Mahony, who has just announced his retirement from county football at the age of 36, had defiance as his default-setting, even to the point of stretching out his career well past the point where most players feel they can handle the demands of playing at that level."




He has been described by a lot of people as a warrior but he hwas much more than that - he could play as well.


He departs the green and gold owing them nothing. He had a great innings.

[From the Bunker]

I remember him giving Ciarán McDonald special treatment in the 2006 AI Final, When the game was done and dusted. Clearly he must have been feeling the pressure of marking him going into the game and put the heel in coming into the home front. Unlike some of his Kerry colleagues lacked class. He's a shit dancer aswell. 

[From the Bunker]

Special thanks to Mayo and Cork for the All Irelands.

He was lucky Galway were not a force during his time, as Galway have an outstanding record the last 50 years against Kerry (and Dublin)!

[yellowcard]

At his best he was tough and uncompromising and was a fine athlete. His career was tinged with controversies however given the failed drugs test and the embarassing dive. Probably stayed on a year or two too long but nonetheless he played a big part of arguably the second best Kerry team ever.

[Fuzzman]

From the posts on here it sounds like AOM wasn't a very likeable character and despite having won 2 all stars and 5 Celtic Crosses most seem to see him as a villian and remember him more for his darker side

Reading there on Wiki and the failed drug test was proven to come from an asthma inhalers which you would imagine a lot of players would use. Wiki says he once played on for more than 40 minutes in a club final with a broken leg, scoring two point.
At 36 he had a good innings and had he have left a few years ago he wouldn't have won that 5th medal.

[seafoid]

Special thanks to Mayo and Cork for the All Irelands.

He was lucky Galway were not a force during his time, as Galway have an outstanding record the last 50 years against Kerry (and Dublin)!

Without Mayo and Cork, Kerry woukd have won very little recently.

[From the Bunker]

Special thanks to Mayo and Cork for the All Irelands.

He was lucky Galway were not a force during his time, as Galway have an outstanding record the last 50 years against Kerry (and Dublin)!

Without Mayo and Cork, Kerry woukd have won very little recently.

Of course ye have stood in their way multiple times during this period?