The son of John and Bridget (née Doran), he grew up in an area that was and still is famous for hurling.
The death of Charles Stewart Parnell and the political tensions of the era meant that the playing of game was in doubt; however, it eventually went ahead.
The hurling decider was an exciting affair with the Kerry team playing in their bare feet in grey jumpers with a gold band.
The Kerry team were reluctant to play the extra thirty minutes with captain Mahony one of the most vocal opponents.
It was only after being persuaded by the chairman of the Kerry County Board that the team decided to line out for a third half-hour of hurling.
Both sides upped their games considerably for the only occasion that extra time was played in an All-Ireland final.