Event planned by legends Johnno and Tommie to go ahead in Ballaghaderreen
An event planned by John O’Mahony and his good friend Tommie Gorman, both recently deceased, will go ahead in Ballaghaderreen on Friday (August 9), despite the loss of both men.
Part of Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival, the event – entitled Saving Gaelic Football – will take place in St. Nathy’s College from 7.30 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) evening.
Despite subsequent illness, after organising the event, both John and Tommie remained determined to be there.
As John said in a text on June 25, the day Tommie died: “We had a pact to get better for the 9th [in Ballaghaderreen].” Not long afterwards, on July 6, John himself died.
In August last year, John took part in a very successful 'GAA Night’ during the 2023 Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival that featured panelists Joe Brolly, Andy Moran, Seanie McDermott and Cora Staunton.
Afterwards, he said: “I was honoured to be asked [to take part] and really enjoyed the night,” adding: “It was great to have it in the college and Ballagh' – the centre of my world.”
Last spring it was John who contacted Jim Gavin on behalf of this year’s festival organisers to ask whether he might be available for interview as part of this year’s events. As manager, Jim led Dublin to six All-Ireland titles, including an unprecedented five-in-a-row, and he said 'yes’ to Johnno's request.
John then asked Tommie Gorman to conduct the interview on the night, and Tommie agreed. A great night was likely, not least as last February Jim Gavin was appointed to lead the GAA’s Football Review Group on the future of the game.
It was tasked with 'making Gaelic football a more enjoyable spectacle to watch and play', as GAA President Jarlath Burns said at the time. He added: “The sight of endless passing across the half-forward line, without any risks being taken, before the ball is channelled back to a midfielder, who repeats the process from the other side of the pitch, is not what Gaelic football should be. I think we can all agree on that.”
It is unlikely Jarlath Burns has changed his opinion following the All-Ireland final last Sunday week, albeit the victors being his native Armagh. The Football Review Group is to report in October.
Despite the double whammy suffered by the O’Mahony family with the deaths of Johnno and Tommie, they remain resolute that the Saving Gaelic Football event should go ahead.
Jim Gavin has reaffirmed his commitment to be there, while broadcaster Seán O’Rourke agreed immediately to conduct the interview. Another good friend of Tommie Gorman’s, Seán is a long-standing admirer of John O’Mahony, not least as he brought two All-Irelands to Galway, his home county.
Saving Gaelic Football takes place in St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, from 7.30 p.m. on Friday, August 9. More details can be found at ballaghaderreenartsfestival.com.