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Sideline View . . . with Martin Kiely
IT was rather ironic that, in this column last week, I mentioned tradition and the importance of its place in Irish society. Little did I know that this week I would be dedicating these pages to a man who was the epitome of tradition or, as he would say with regularity when we would meet "Duchas", the Irish translation for tradition.
The man I speak of is, of course, the late great Garry McMahon of Newcastle West and Kerry. If you are fortunate, in your lifetime, you will meet some people who will leave an imprint on you - for me Garry Mc Mahon was one such gentleman, a man so rich in the great traditions of our country and, for those who were privileged to know him, they were all the richer for the experience.
Garry McMahon was a man of so many parts, principally a solicitor, writer, poet, songwriter and singer, but, of course, football and the GAA played a huge part in his life and he won many distinguished honours in the green and gold of Kerry, however, while very proud of Listowel and Kerry, Newcastle West and Limerick were always close to his heart and he followed Limerick teams with the same enthusiasm and joy as he did with his native Kerry.
Synonymous With Listowel
The name Mc Mahon is synonymous with the town of Listowel. He was the eldest son of the great writer Bryan McMahon and it was a case of the apple not falling far from the tree as the "master" Bryan McMahon always took great pride in his native place, its songs, its people and its culture. The love of Ireland was so central in the many writings of Garry McMahon and, combined with his late father, they have left us with a rich legacy.
They travelled from the four corners of Ireland to pay their respects to Garry McMahon – from the legal and business professions but primarily from the GAA, because the GAA know how to honour their own, both locally and nationally, and, now that the holder of two All-Ireland medals has passed to his eternal rest, we got to witness the warmth and sincerity expressed to a truly great Gael.
Regularly when I would call to see Garry he would quickly pull from his desk his most recent project.
He would give his rendition and, with the same speed that he scored goals, it would be photocopied and signed by the author.
Work Was A Distraction
In so many ways work was a distraction to Garry.
He was at his best in the company of people – reliving old games, or reciting poetry or song. He was a superb communicator who brought out the best in people and, if you were in his company, you could be assured that the night would go much too quickly.
He was actually born in Tipperary as it was the custom then that the mother would return to her native county to give birth. He would later have an association with Tipperary again when an apprentice solicitor with his uncle in Cashel. He, at that time, offered his services to Tipperary, they weren't interested in him, but when he won his first All-Ireland with Kerry in 1959, the then secretary of the County Board in Tipperary wrote to apologise – they had thought that he was one of the Mc-Mahons from Fethard. Obviously, the Mc Mahons in Fethard were not renowned for their football ability.
From an early age Garry showed that he had a great aptitude for football and, according to John O'Faherty from the Listowel Emmets Club, he had great hands, good speed, and an accurate kick but, most importantly, he had a great ability to score goals and was earmarked as a potential star.
Frank Sheehy played a part in Garry's career and many others.
As a teacher he organised under age football and this became a huge part of life in the local town leagues.
Garry played in the Church Street team. He continued his development in St. Michael's College under the tutelage of John Molyneaux. Garry played a major part in the school winning the Dunloe Cup for the first time in 1954.
These performances saw his star beginning to rise and it brought him to the attention of the Kerry Minor selectors, and he was part of the Kerry team in 1955. He was not to enjoy much success in his opening year with the Kerry minors and they were beaten in the Munster Final by Tipperary.
The under-21 grade was not part of the GAA during those years and so there was a gap between minor and senior. For the young McMahons it was made all the more difficult as he was now attending college in Dublin so out of sight meant out of mind.
Between 1956 and 1958, Kerry were not enjoying a good spell and, for this reason, they organised a trial game between the residents and non – residents and, in his own words, "it went fairly okay", and he was restored to the Kerry team.
Clan na Gael
During his time in Dublin, he admitted that the Clan na Gael Club in Raheny had played a huge part in developing his game.
"I started off playing junior in Dublin and it was tough. I played intermediate in my second year. Gradually I worked my way up to the club's senior team after two years. I learned a lot with that club and made many great friends there".
Kerry played Cork in the Munster Final of 1959 and it was the launching pad of McMahon's senior inter–county career - he scored 2–2 in the first half. It prompted Mchel O'Hehir, who was doing the radio commentary on the match to say: "This morning, Garry McMahon was a son of a famous father, this evening Bryan McMahon is the father of a famous son".
The winning of an All-Ireland medal, regardless of the sport, is a huge honour and, for Garry Mc Mahon, it was something he held very dear: "There's just something so special about going to Croke Park on All-Ireland Final Day. I was a substitute in 1959 and came on for the last 20 minutes and scored a goal. It was just so special. Many thing's may fade from your mind, but moments such as that are logged forever."
Indeed McMahon returned to Croke Park in 1960 when Down provided the opposition but, on that occasion, Down brought a freshness with them that was to change football for many years to come. He won his second All-Ireland Final in 1962 and this is the game that is remembered particularly for McMahon's goal after just 34 seconds. That year Roscommon provided the oppositions and it was noteworthy that it was to be the first televised live game. Prior to the start of the game Kerry selector Jonny Walsh had words of advice: "I was watching your marker in the semi–final, John Oliver Moran, the Roscommon corner-back. He has a tendency to go for a ball that isn't his. The first ball that comes in just stay back and stand your ground." It was sound advice. Kerry were awarded a free that was taken by McMahon's life-long friend Mick O'Connell. With a good flight on the ball, it headed towards goal and Garry McMahon was already thinking of the words of advice. The Roscommon goalkeeper, Aiden Brady, left his line and, handball style, Garry doubled on it to the net.
The record still stands to this day and, given the modern techniques now adopted in football, it is pretty safe to suggest that the record could well be safe for quite some time.
Indeed, as Garry McMahon left Croke Park after each All-Ireland Final subsequently, he would utter the words "my record is still safe".
Kerry went on to win that All-Ireland with a degree of ease and it saw the Listowel man the proud holder of two All-Ireland medals.
Indeed, he was the first man from the Listowel Emmet's in 1959 to win an All-Ireland and that record stood until Tim Kenneally arrived in the 1970's.
Heroes are important to young boys growing up regardless of the era.
During Garry McMahon's youth his hero was the great Paddy Bn Brosnan of Dingle. Indeed, I remember well the Munster Football Final of 1995 in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
Kerry beat Cork that day, but the news filtered through that Paddy Bn had passed away. The day that Paddy Bn Brosnan was buried was a sweltering hot day and many of those who had played with him would not yield to the punishing rays as they made their way to Milltown Cemetery outside Dingle. On that day Garry McMahon sang the Lament to Paddy Bn.
That meant a lot to Garry given that his boyhood hero was a selector on the 1962 winning team.
For over 40 years Garry was part and parcel of the community in Newcastle West. He loved Limerick and was particularly proud of Newcastle West and west Limerick.
At his funeral players from the past and present were in attendance. They even travelled from Down to pay their respects to a man who was humble and honourable in all that he did.
There were many tributes paid by a variety of people. Indeed, one of his sons spoke about a particular incident in Croke Park where the field became extremely slippery in the first half of an All-Ireland Final. Garry decided to test it for himself, left his seat over the hoarding and walked the surface to see for himself. Typical of the man - rather than take it for granted, he would enquire and examine for himself.
So, as the chilling March winds blew with gusto and the enlarged rain drops dispersed from the finely lacquered coffin, Garry McMahon was laid to rest. It was always his wish to die beneath a Limerick sky and so our maker has acceded to his wishes.
Garry McMahon had many qualities, both professional and otherwise, but, most of all, he was a gentleman, blessed with immense talents and we are all the better for having shared in some of his songs, poems and renditions.
To his wife Joan and family we extend our sincere sympathies.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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