He was a joy to watch.
Gavin O’Mahony announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on Monday night, depriving the inter-county scene of one of its most graceful players.
He released the following statement on his Twitter account, thanking all those who contributed to his career.
— Gavin O Mahony (@gavinom6) November 6, 2017
The Kilmallock club man turned 30 this year, and obviously felt the time was nigh to hang up his boots, but his decade long playing career with the Treaty county will live long in the memory in Limerick and further afield.
In recent years, O’Mahony was deployed in a more attacking role, regularly donning the Limerick number 11 jersey, but he will be best remembered for the days he spent manning the half back line as Limerick’s number 7.
O’Mahony made a name for himself as a Treaty minor, but he really made his mark around 2010, captaining and inspiring his club to a Limerick senior title. From 2010 to 2013, he was one of the best half backs in the game.
Donal O’Grady became Limerick manager in 2010, and he instantly warmed to O’Mahony, granting him an assured starting berth, and soon trusting him with the captaincy honours in 2011.
Congrats to Gavin O'Mahony on a brilliant Limerick career, we wish him all the best in the future as the next chapter begins to unfold pic.twitter.com/NsGQDAKrfS
— GPA (@gaelicplayers) November 6, 2017
With his slight, lanky frame there may have been fears that O’Mahony would be easily brushed off the ball, that he would be overcome by the increasingly physical nature of hurling, but his was a case of tenacity over brawn, and skill over size.
At his best, he was a traditionalists dream in the number 7 role. Teak tough, he was a tight marker, a strong runner, an excellent reader of the game and a supreme stick man and a powerful ball winner.
His finest hour coincided with Limerick’s best performance in recent history in the atrocious conditions of a wet August Sunday in the All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park.
O’Mahony hurled up a storm that day, as the Shannonsiders went down bravely against a Kilkenny side in the peak of their powers. He thrived in the big occasion, curtailing the influence of Kilkenny star forward TJ Reid.
That was all after he played a pivotal role in their famous Munster Championship triumph over Cork in the Gaelic Grounds in 2013.
That was standard for Limerick hurling supporters at that time, though, because they could always rely on their model of consistency to deliver.
He lead by example, his inspirational catches and powerful drives up field often rallied the Limerick troops, and were always appreciated by the loyal green and white following.
He was a joy to watch for them, his grace and elegance was a joy to watch for us all.
Former Tipperary star Timmy Hammersly paid tribute, as did many others.
Best of luck man #Cregandinteventrainus
— Timmy Hammersley (@TimmyHammersley) November 6, 2017
