A friendship that blossomed on a beach in Crookhaven many years ago will be resurrected after the final whistle in today's AIB League final between Cork Constitution and Dungannon at Lansdowne Road.
The tiny holiday hamlet in West Cork hosted the chance encounter that offers a quirky backdrop to today's encounter. Cork Constitution outhalf Conor Mahony explains: "We used to go there every year during the summer for about 15 years. During that time we met with Willie Anderson and Stephen Bell and it used to end up with games of tip-rugby on the beach."
Anderson coaches Dungannon, for whom Bell lines out at scrumhalf. One suspects that when the latter and Mahony collide at Lansdowne Road today, there will be more than a gentle shove required to turn over possession. "It will be interesting to see if the niceties will still be observed," says Mahony, laughing.
For the 26-year-old chartered accountant today offers an opportunity to annex a second All-Ireland League winners medal, having played in the centre on the Constitution team that won the title two years ago. This time he is charged with dispensing the outhalf duties, replacing Ronan O'Gara, who is preparing with the Lions in London prior to next week's departure for Australia.
While the loss of the Irish international is obviously a blow, Con folk and the media will point to the fact that when O'Gara's absence has coincided with Mahony's switch from centre to outhalf, the club has won all seven games. Mahony modestly insists: "It's just a coincidence. It's great that we haven't lost when I have been put in there (outhalf).
"At the start of the year when Ronan was injured they weren't sure who they were going to play at 10 but I ended up playing there. I suppose the team has drawn confidence from the fact that we can win without Ronan. I have been able to step in there and we've done okay."
Mahony is steeped in rugby lore. His grandfather Ignatius Mahony was President of the IRFU (1973-74) and of Dolphin while his father, Brian, is also a past president of the club. Conor is one of six children: sisters Clodagh and Orla (she swam for Ireland up until the age of 18) and four brothers, Niall (28), Conor (26), Cian (24) and Brian (18).
The four boys played rugby at Christian Brothers College, Cork; Brian was a member of the team beaten in this season's Munster Schools Senior Cup final by Rockwell. Niall also played on cup teams at school while Cian will be on the bench for Constitution today, having recently recovered from injury. Conor ruefully admits that the four brothers' schools rugby honours consist of a single (his) Junior Cup medal.
On leaving school he joined Dolphin, where he came under the tuition of the current Munster Coach Declan Kidney, who guided the club to Division One during his tenure. A decision by Conor and Cian to leave Dolphin for Constitution in 1999 was a little surprising for some at the club.
"I suppose the fact that my father was a president caused a few batted eyelids," Mahony concedes. The previous year he had made four appearances for Munster but in pursuing his accountancy career (he qualified 18 months ago) he had to forego a professional rugby career - that is until now. Informed opinion suggests he will be offered a provincial contract with Munster for next season and while he can't confirm it as yet, he concedes that life as a professional rugby player would appeal to him.
While playing at outside centre is his preferred position, he enjoys the role of outhalf, where he played at school and with Dolphin. "I love getting a chance at outhalf, because it's different and you get a lot of ball. Sometimes in a match you can be playing in the centre and you mightn't get the ball that often, but at 10 you're always involved and that is the aspect I like."
What would he describe as his main attributes? "A good turn of pace, good eye for a break and good hands, they'd be the best. In terms of areas to work on, I suppose my concentration over the 80 minutes, particularly when playing outhalf. In the centre you have to concentrate on one or two jobs whereas at outhalf, it's more varied and demanding - getting your back line going, nursing your forwards, making sure all the kicks are right."
While Brian O'Meara will be entrusted with the place-kicking responsibilities today, Mahony would have no problem if asked to assume the role. "In the promotion season at Dolphin, I scored about 350 points with the boot and scoring tries. At Con, when you have Ronan (O'Gara) and Brian (O'Meara) there, they are practising every day so away they go. "If someone handed me the ball today and said stick it over to win the cup, I'd be a little nervous but I wouldn't have a problem with it.
Comparisons are often made between Conor and Cian, brothers, team-mates, fellow centres. But for an injury-plagued season, Cian would probably be starting today. How does Conor view their differences? "Cian is very good at contact, he's much stronger than me and he's able to take on players one-to-one. I'd be more of a playmaker."
His priorities beyond winning today are to make the Munster team next season, his philosophy a simple one. "You should try and make the most of the talent you're given, what ever the level from junior up to international. Wherever it takes you is immaterial, once you have pushed yourself to the limits of your ability."
Mahony has a long way to go before exhausting his resources.
