BIO

Norwood experienced a big turnover of players in 1882.  D. Mahoney, a follower from the Chilwell club in the Geelong area, was one of the new men recruited to help the red-and-blues to their fifth successive premiership. 

“Mahoney . . .  is said to be a fine sturdy player, and will be the source of great strength to the team,” the South Australian Weekly Chronicle opined.  Norwood had lost six players from its 1881 team, notably Traynor, Pollock and Tyrell, but in their place gained Wilson, Watson, Mahoney, Roachock, Frayne and Maloney.

Mahoney had an inauspicious start as an inaccurate Norwood beat South Park by three goals to one at Kensington Oval.  The Adelaide Observer said: “On both sides too much holding the ball was indulged in, Mahoney of the Norwoods being facile princeps* in this line.”

Mahoney had better success when Norwood defeated the Victorian premier, South Melbourne, at South Melbourne on 29 June. Steve McKee splendidly evaded an opponent and passed to Mahoney, who marked and goaled for a 2.3 to 0.3 half-time lead.  Norwood went on to win 2.7 to 1.11 but lost to Melbourne, Carlton and Ballarat while on tour.

After a rough voyage and a late arrival home, Norwood asked South Adelaide for a postponement of their match scheduled for Adelaide Oval on 8 July.  But, as stated by ‘Goalpost’ in The Adelaide Observer, “the South Adelaides evidently consider that a present victory over a weak team of the premier club is more honourable than a future defeat at the hands of the full team”.  Norwood, without Waldron, Watson, Lindsay, Brophy, Longden, Bragge and Lowe, went down by two goals to one.  ‘Goalpost’ reported that “very little football was shown by either side” but Mahoney “surprised everyone by his brilliant form”.

We have no record of Mahoney after the 22 July 1882 match in which Norwood beat Victorians 3.15 to 2.1 at Adelaide Oval.  Perhaps he was the Daniel Mahony/Mahoney who married Mary Condon in St Patrick’s Church, Adelaide, on 27 August 1882.  Born in Rashnane, County Kerry, Ireland, he was one of six children of Daniel Mahony and his wife Julia (Kiely).  Daniel and Mary had 11 children.  A grocer, he was 89 when he died in Camberwell, Victoria, on 9 April 1945.  He is buried at the General Melbourne Cemetery.

* Translated as “an acknowledged leader”

P. Robins, D. Cox, G. Adams June 2024