Aidan O'Mahony unsure over his Macroom future despite Tom Creedon Cup success 

Macroom manager Aidan O’Mahony hopes the Tom Creedon Cup triumph will provide a platform for the Muskerry side to push on.

The team in green and white won the competition for the first time in 27 years following a 1-9 to 0-5 victory over Boherbue in the final at the Castle Grounds in Macroom on Saturday evening.

It’s only the third time that Macroom have claimed the trophy, which is named after one of their greatest ever players. It has been running since 1985.

A positive ending for O’Mahony in his first season in charge of the team. They retained their status in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC and finished the campaign with silverware.

“It’s a huge competition for the club and it’s an honour for us to win it,” the former Kerry star says.

“I saw Knocknagree win the competition for the first time last year and you could see what it meant to them that day. We hadn’t won it in 27 years so it was a goal for us. After we beat Ilen Rovers in the relegation game five weeks ago, we went back training on the Tuesday night. 

"As a group we decided that if we wanted to get over the line in this competition, we needed to put in five hard weeks and we did and it has worked. We analysed Boherbue’s county final loss to Glanmire last weekend, so I suppose we were ticking every box in terms of preparation.

“We weren't too far away this year. It was fine margins in the championship and I know from my own experience with my own club, when you lose narrowly, it can hinder you, so that’s why today’s game was so important. We knew Boherbue would come down with a bit of hurt and that’s a dangerous animal. I can’t speak highly enough of my players. They keep you on your toes.

“This win is huge for the club and hopefully Macroom can push on from here. Losing becomes a habit, but winning also becomes a habit and this will give the team belief.” 

The Rathmore native enjoyed this year guiding the Macroom footballers, but it’s not a guarantee that he will return in 2025.

“I have no problem in saying that the championship was disappointing. We didn’t get out of the group, but there has been progress made. I think Macroom had only one adult team out last year, they had three this year. That side was rewarding. I have enjoyed the year though. 

"This win puts the icing on the cake. At the start of the year, the championship was number one, but winning the Tom Creedon Cup was number two. I am delighted for the players and the club, everyone involved really.

“Who knows what might happen in 2025. I have a seven-year-old and a five-year-old at home and I am one of those people, if there was training at 7pm, I would be there at 5pm. It’s the way I am. It was the same when I played the game. There’s a lot of time that goes into it. 

"I will have to sit down with the chairman in the coming weeks and see. The players might have different opinions as well. You have to factor all those things in. We will celebrate this first.”