A powerful watch.
Throughout his illustrious playing career, six-time All-Ireland winner Philly McMahon has frequently spoken about the impact that heroin addiction had on his family after the Dublin footballer lost his older brother, John, to drug addiction.
The Ballymun Kickhams man undertook a very different task recently as his documentary, The Hardest Hit, examined drug culture in Ireland, tying in with his own campaign for the decriminalisation of drugs since his brother died in 2012.
The documentary was an incredibly candid and powerful watch as the Dublin footballer invited cameras into his home. As he frequently does, McMahon spoke candidly about the loss of his brother and the impact that drug addiction had on his family.
My documentary "the hardest hit" is on this Sunday the 21st at 9.30pm. Make sure to tune in, it will hopefully give viewers a better understanding of the human being behind the disease of addiction and how we can do more as a society. pic.twitter.com/KveOxlDWz3
— Philly Mc Mahon (@PhillyMcMahon) October 19, 2018
The documentary also delivered an insight into the work that McMahon does with Mountjoy’s Progression Unit and his constant campaigning to advocate for decriminalisation and the creation of a separate drug court.
Speaking about The Hardest Hit, McMahon says that he aimed to “hopefully give viewers a better understanding of the human being behind the disease of addiction and how we can do more as a society”.
“In all my years playing football for Dublin my number one goal has never changed – to get that blue jersey and to wear it as many times as possible. I never got a chance to share any of it with John. I’d give all my All-Irelands to still have him here with me today.”
In terms of the final product, it’s clear that his passion and honesty has deeply resonated with viewers.
Thank you @PhillyMcMahon , Thank you❤️❤️❤️ #TheHardestHit
— Barry Keoghan (@BarryKeoghan) October 21, 2018
If you watched #TheHardestHit and agree with @PhillyMcMahon on decriminalisation here’s a few people to follow: @drugscrisis @AnaLiffey @tonyduffin @dawntruss @MarcusKeane3 @stuartclark66 @niamhrelease @LSEIDPU @SenLynnRuane @GerRayRoe @EmmetKirwan @AddictionsPMC & @PMVTrust.
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) October 21, 2018
Well done @PhillyMcMahon 👏👏 an incredibly powerful & emotive documentary on a subject that touches so many lives. #thehardesthit
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) October 21, 2018
Great insight into drug addiction on the documentary #TheHardestHit by @PhillyMcMahon Nobody better equipped to raise awareness because of his own families hardship from the impact of drugs. Well done.
— Killeavy13 (@StevenMcD13) October 21, 2018
#TheHardestHit is really bringing back all the emotions I felt when my brother died of overdose three years ago. Addicts NEED to be treated with compassion and as people with a serious health issue, NOT criminals. So great to see @AnaLiffeybeing mentioned #SaferFromHarm
— Niamh O'Donoghue (@Niamh_Not_Neeme) October 21, 2018
Turning your heartbreak into hope for others, your experience into education. Well done @PhillyMcMahon #thehardesthit
— Dearbhail McDonald (@DearbhailDibs) October 21, 2018
What an incredible role model and inspiration @PhillyMcMahon is. That was such a moving, educational and emotional documentary. I've no doubt his Dad and brother are looking down on him with great pride. Well done Philly. #TheHardestHit pic.twitter.com/vKH118mMeU
— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) October 21, 2018
#TheHardestHit @PhillyMcMahon So proud of you Philly and the massive impact you make on vulnerable kids who need a hero 👊 First class doc @BallymunGAA @aoifekava @young_ballymun #ballymun #decriminalisation #boysinblue
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) October 21, 2018
Very open and honest programme by @PhillyMcMahon – shows the reality of drug taking and how we can best help those who suffer #TheHardestHit
— Dr. Alison Gilliland (@AlisonINTO) October 21, 2018
If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in @PhillyMcMahon's #TheHardestHit you can access addiction helplines and family support information at https://t.co/a7G9hPJHW8 pic.twitter.com/PCI8yl4bna
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) October 21, 2018
@PhillyMcMahon making Dublin proud once again. An inspirational documentary which shows the importance of Education and Sport in keeping youngsters on the straight and narrow. This documentary should be shown in every SPHE class in Secondary Schools this week. #TheHardestHit
— Dublin Gaelic Fans (@DubsGAAFans) October 21, 2018
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