By Cian O’Connell

As a tight and tense Galway SFC semi-final unfolded a familiar pose was evident on the Pearse Stadium sideline. John O’Mahony simply stayed calm.

Annaghdown, with Damien Comer providing a powerful threat, were posing stern questions, but an emerging crop of Salthill-Knocknacarra footballers were finding the answers. Eventually a first county decider appearance since 2016 was secured, another important step taken.

That Salthill-Knocknacarra stayed the distance satisfied O’Mahony. Rob Finnerty supplied the craft, Tomo Culhane nailed four sweet points, while Cathal Sweeney ventured forward to plunder a crucial goal.

The Galway panelists contributed handsomely alongside others, who are beginning to show real promise. “Sunday's thing was complicated further by the fact that we had played Annaghdown already, we had beaten them in Tuam,” O’Mahony says.

“It is always a tricky assignment when you meet a team a second time in the same championship because obviously the team that has lost the first time is going to throw the kitchen sink at you. That is what we expected, that is what we got, and I was glad to be able to get over the line in the end.

“It is good, it is a young team, I think the average age is 22, to get them there, and to help along the way to transition some underage players into senior footballers. We have used 20 players in every game so it is an ongoing project, but it is good to be tested in the white heat of a county final.”

Manufacturing talent has never been an issue for Salthill-Knocknacarra. The enduring challenge was integrating them properly into the senior set-up. Tough days have been endured since Gerry Hughes last guided Salthill-Knocknacarra to Galway glory in 2012.

Encouraging signs have been available recently with O’Mahony building on the work carried out by Conor McGauran, introducing younger players.

“After last year's championship there was a number of players retiring, it necessitated in some ways and it was an opportunity in another way for young players - there is still a good blend,” O’Mahony states.

“While it is a very young team, there are a number of experienced players that have eased the passage for these young lads too. That is good, the mix is good. We are trying to get it right.

“They have learned along the way, they have just got across the line in certain games and so on.”

Moycullen have blossomed into a dynamic and durable team with Don Connellan in charge with O’Mahony expecting another demanding assignment.

“It is a learning experience and there will be no bigger learning than going in against Moycullen, who are way further down the line at development level,” O’Mahony adds.

“They have a very experienced team. We watched the second match on Sunday, they fully deserved their win, and they gave an incredible display.”

How relevant is the fact that Moycullen have been operating in these types of high pressure situations more frequently than Salthill-Knocknacarra recently?

“They have that edge on us in many respects,” O’Mahony replies. “They have been there, they have done that. You can see that in the way they play. They have six members of the Galway panel and probably one or two others that will be in the Galway panel I'd imagine going forward.

“It is no surprise that Moycullen are in the final, they will have bigger ambitions I'm sure, and rightly so with the squad they have. What we will be trying to do is to get a performance, to be competitive. That is what the aim is.

“It is a big task, but sometimes from a big challenge comes a big opportunity too. If we can leave our performance on the pitch, wherever that gets us, that will be satisfaction in itself. Obviously the longer we can stay in the game the more competitive it will become.”

O’Mahony’s rich history in Connacht football means significant links with the past exist. In the opposite corner will be Moycullen boss Don Connellan, who played for Roscommon against O’Mahony’s Galway teams, while the accomplished Paul Clancy is the chairperson.

“There are a lot of link ups, no doubt about it,” O’Mahony laughs. “I was speaking with Paul earlier in the year, he left me in no doubt that Moycullen were on a mission this year. They have showed that on the field too. They have been good representatives and so on.”

O’Mahony has enjoyed being part of Salthill-Knocknacarra’s 2022 campaign. Forging a meaningful connection with those involved in the club was crucial.

Former Galway footballers Finian Hanley and Seán Armstrong are in the backroom team with Des Sheerin and the highly regarded Norman Costello. “I'm lucky, and I keep reiterating this, when I came in, I wanted my backroom team to be from within the club,” O’Mahony says.

“Each one of them plays a major role in it. Finian, Seán, and Des from the coaching point of view, and Norman obviously. Some of those lads played and Norman Costello has been training some of those lads since they were in their short pants is it were.

“So I wanted people that had an intimate knowledge of the players available as they came through and their characteristics. Those lads have been great in the way that they have filled me in. My role is to oversee, if you like, all of that, to let them get on with their job.

“I'm enjoying that aspect. David Burke is there to do the analysis, and Joe Greaney is heavily involved organising things. It is a compact team from within the club, who know everything about the players available. That is the way I wanted it.”

Imparting some of the knowledge acquired during a decorated managerial career is key according to O’Mahony. “It is, that was the understanding,” he says. “What I was trying to do was maximise the potential that is within the management group too, letting them get on with their job - to facilitate that. Obviously any words of experience that I can give, that is what I want to do too.

“Going forward I'd love to see those lads involved in the management of Salthill, long after I depart the scene or whatever. That is the aim, that is the policy with the football committee.”

O’Mahony acknowledges the volume of players at every level in the club. Alan Mulholland, a former Galway player and manager, is the chairperson during a promising spell for Salthill-Knocknacarra with O’Mahony delighted to be involved. “It is a huge club, there is massive potential in the club going forward in all the various codes,” O’Mahony says.

“Between 50 and 60 teams go out every year in various ladies and mens codes, I suppose the senior football team in many respects is the shop window of the club. It is just to get a set-up well organised. Front of house is what we have tried to do this year, so far it has gone fairly well.”

O’Mahony is still delivering.