Moloney v O’Donoghue

An interesting side story to this weekend’s Round 3 of the Middle East League in Qatar will be the renewal of the bitter rivalry between Jumeirah Gaels’ Brian Moloney and Dubai Celts’ Paul O’ Donoghue.

The rivalry dates back to 2015 when their respective clubs, Ardfert and St Mary’s, were vying for the Kerry intermediate title, meeting in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. Moloney was tasked with marking the St Mary’s upcoming hot shot O’Donoghue, just after winning the All-Ireland with Kerry in 2014.

What ensued in the next over the next 70 minutes was one of the most ill-tempered games in GAA history. Moloney (aka the 6 figure bearded lady killer) was in sparkling form with the boot, but not how you might think, instead spending the afternoon karate kicking O’Donoghues around Fitzgerald Stadium. In Ardfert’s mind, his job was done.

O’Donoghue finished the game scoreless, and Ardert went on to win the Intermediate Club All Ireland, with Moloney pulling the strings throughout the championship.

Following the humiliation, O’Donoghue fled to Australia, apparently signalling the end of this bitter rivalry. Moloney’s performance was so eye-catching it is rumoured he received an approach from then Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, who wanted to bring him north of the border. Harte was trying to fill the spot of defensive enforcer for the 2016 session, with his resident hardman Cahal McCarron set to leave the squad.

However, with both now residing in Dubai and playing for Jumeirah Gaels and Dubai Celts, it appears the two are set on an unavoidable collision course. Gaels and Celts is one of Middle East GAA’s fiercest rivalries, which has undoubtedly added another dimension.

For those unfamiliar with the Middle East GAA scene, you need to be thinking Celtic v Rangers, Galatasarayv Fenerbahçe.

We caught up with Moloney to ask about his imminent return to the pitch, who is treating this more like an MMA match than a GAA game. 

“Yeah, I am looking forward to getting back out there and kicking that fool about. The contract from Jumeirah Gaels is still with my agents, but hopefully, we can cross the t’s and dot the i’s in the coming days. To be honest, I would’ve come out of retirement to kick him around one last time for free, but when there was talk of a few pounds for my effort, sure, it was a no-brainer! I nearly forgot how much he boils my blood until I saw him prancing around McCaffertys recently with his 2 ears pierced, calling himself Pauly D. 

I am telling you now, if this Jersey Shore wannabe comes onto the pitch wearing two earrings, they will be coming straight out along with his two front teeth.”

*O’Donoghue could not be reached for comment at this time.