1945 - 2021

At this sad and most heart breaking time for the Mahoney family, Ardrahan Hurling Club wishes to tender our most sincere sympathy to Catriona, Olivia, Lorraine, Noel, Mairead and Patrick on the death of your Dad, to brothers Johnny and Eddie and sister Mary, and to his grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews and extended family on your tragic loss, the death of our most esteemed and iconic clubman P.J.

P.J. Mahoney made an immense contribution to our club as player and administrator. He was one of our most decorated players – 1 Co. Juvenile Hurling title, 1 Co. Intermediate Hurling title, 3 Co. Senior Hurling titles. Numerous South Board Championships, Reeves Cup, Gilligan Memorial, South Board Gold Medal, Shanaglish and Kilbeacanty Gold Medal Tournaments as well as a Co. Galway Hurling Sports Star of the year award for 1974.

The elevation of Ardrahan to senior hurling ranks in 1965 brought many fine exponents of the game to the forefront. Among them was P.J Mahoney. He distinguished himself on the sports field. His heart was in hurling. It took root in his childhood and playing the game meant more to him than medals won.  

Hurling followers associate certain teams with specific decades and in the case of Ardrahan, it was the 1970’s. Our hurling teams gave fantastic Senior Championship performances in 1974, ‘75 and ’78. P.J Mahoney was synonymous and at the heart of all those championship wins. His calm self-assurance and cool under pressure were traits of a craftsman applying his goalkeeping techniques with pride and precision.

Down through the years the image remains, of a tall dark, fearless, strong hurler, with his trademark goalkeeper cap, organising his defence and urging players on. He drew from supporters a particular type of admiration and became a well-known popular sporting personality. He was a unique character in hurling, complemented by supporters, players who played with him and against him, all respected him highly.

For the best part of 20 years he rendered sterling service to his club as a player. Raising a family, running his farm and business, he retired from the game in 1979 and a new chapter of club administration began. The procurement of our own playing grounds was very important to him. He became a Trustee of our club in 1981. Finances, development, maintenance, and quality of surface were of particular interest to him in that role. Later he became Club Chairman on several occasions and again he served and worked willingly with distinction. Youth development and team preparation were features of his leadership. A quite man, he has left an indelible mark on the hurling club he adored as man and boy. He retired as a Trustee in 2012 but not before new land was purchased to expand club grounds. The modern facilities that we presently have in Ardrahan are in sharp contrast to the one that greeted PJ when he first came to the playing field as a boy. His courage, ability to work alongside colleagues, wise decisions, and foresight has set the tone for Club Officers and players who will follow in his path, a path that he helped make so much easier to follow. An iconic ambassador and a hurling gentleman from Tulira has left our midst way before his time. His name will always be recalled and remembered with affection and gratitude in our Club.

Sosa I Síochain Ár gCara Daor.

Tom Greene