There’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Dublin’s Philly McMahon has a bit of a reputation when it comes to GAA.
The Ballymun Kickham’s player is an old school, win at all costs kind of player that might be accused of playing dirty at times if it means getting the upper hand on his opponent.
But off the pitch, by all accounts, he’s meant to an absolutely lovely bloke.
The 30-year-old is now finished with Dublin for the season but, aside from running his own successful businesses, is promoting his autobiography and appeared on Friday night’s Late Late Show.
McMahon has always been open about his brother’s passing and drug problems in the past and spoke to Ryan Tubridy about it:
“For other people that have a family member that is an addict, it’s okay to come out and say ‘I’m not embarrassed, I shouldn’t be embarrassed of somebody making the wrong choice,’” McMahon said.
“I would have loved to see a Dublin footballer come out when I was growing up and say ‘Do you know what? It’s only a bad decision that your family member has made, don’t be embarrassed about it.’
“I felt that it was something people had over me, if I got into a row with somebody or an argument with somebody they would say ‘Yeah, your brother’s a junkie.’
“When I went into Dublin development squads or even Ballymun Kickhams, I just felt, ‘why am I the only one that has a drug addict brother’ – so that was quite tough.
“It was really tough speaking about it, the first time was at the drug policy consultation. It was the first time I got emotional, speaking about being embarrassed about John but it was something I had to do because I do feel there are so many young people out there now that are feeling the same way and the more people that we get with profiles to speak about it the better.
“I was marking a guy and he felt that saying my brother overdosed from drugs and he was a junkie would affect my game but ultimately it empowered me, I played a very good game that day.
“We all make mistakes, it just happened in that moment and I don’t think he meant it. Essentially, John was with me when he said that to me.”
Dublin footballer @PhillyMcMahon on why it was so important for him to open up about what happened to his late brother John #latelate pic.twitter.com/be8zpi4r9R
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 13, 2017
And people took notice:
Philly McMahon excellently spoken on The Late Late Show, honest and powerful when speaking about his brother. Very good interview.
— Oisin McQueirns (@McQueirns) October 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/nbrez/status/918949110216101889
@PhillyMcMahon you are a credit to yourself and your family and a symbol of hope. Your brother John would be so proud of you. Well done. 👏👏👏
— Vinnie Murphy QFA (@Vinniedub14) October 13, 2017
@PhillyMcMahon may not be flavour of this month or last in Mayo but powerful interview #LateLateShow . Good role model.
— sean lyons (@spiceloft) October 13, 2017
Very personal interview on #LateLateShow – Thank for sharing @PhillyMcMahon #Ballymun pic.twitter.com/Yq4z0Qo3pj
— Seán Haughey (@sean_haughey) October 13, 2017
Very honest and raw interview with @PhillyMcMahon. A great role model for all young people. #family
— Fiona Monaghan (@fmonaghan1) October 13, 2017
