O’Mahony is one of the toughest defenders on the inter-county circuit, but a gesture immediately after the All-Ireland Final showed him to be softie at heart.
The Rathmore defender was one of the star performers in Kerry’s victory over Donegal last month, nullifying the threat of Michael Murphy and delivering a performance that puts him in with a good shout of winning an All-Star award later this month.
Immediately after the game, while he was celebrating with his team-mates, O’Mahony spotted 11-year old Kerry fan Diarmaid de Bhillis at the front of the Cusack Stand and in the spur of the moment, decided to go over and give him the gift of the boots he wore on the day and in all of Kerry’s Championship matches this season.
“I’ve two lasting memories from the game — the final whistle and the smile on the lad’s face after giving him the boots,” O’Mahony told the Irish Examiner.
“I’ll never forget that smile. I had my day and it was such a delight for me to make someone else’s day.’’
O’Mahony did not know Diarmaid before giving him his boots but earlier this week he ran into him once again when paying a visit to the Home from Home after-school service for children with special needs in Killarney that Diarmaid currently attends.
The boots that O’Mahony gave to Diarmaid will be raffled to raise funds for Home from Home, which seeks to engage children with disabilities in meaningful and enjoyable activities, both on a one-to-one basis and in small groups.
Fair play to Aidan, it was a lovely touch.
