Aidan O'Mahony and Des Cahill received much praise for their performances in the first week of RTE's 'Dancing With The Stars'.
Today was the most important day of the GAA calendar so far as thousands around the country travelled to watch their county's first games in pre-season competition - the McKenna Cup, the O'Byrne Cup and the like. But far more important was the competition kicking off at 6.30pm, watched in living rooms all around the country and, indeed, the world. From Tahiti to Templeogue, life was put on hold.
Toned, finely tuned athletes.
Mind-blowing skill and poise.
Calm under the most intense of pressure.
Yes, it was the first episode of 'Dancing with the Stars' on RTE, and the Irish sporting world was represented by two of its most prominent figures, Aidan O'Mahony and Des Cahill. Both performed admirably, with Cahill having a few years on the former Kerry star and so perhaps understandably being more conservative in his efforts.
That didn't stop him whipping out this absolute gem.
What a finish from @sportsdes! #DancingDessie #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/tpi27BaKa8
— RTE One (@RTEOne) January 8, 2017
The GAA world was enthralled. There was plenty of support for O'Mahony (whose salsa got him the second-highest score of 19), much of it coming from his old colleagues with the Kingdom, who have perhaps only been exposed to O'Mahony's moves in the dimly lit surrounds of Coppers.
Good man @GmailMahony. Everyone get voting to keep him in so he can miss another week of Kerry's pre season. #VoteMo #DWTSIrl #GAA
— Aaron Kernan (@AaronKernan) January 8, 2017
Super stuff from @GmailMahony on #DWTSIrl Nailed it👌🏻
— Emlyn Mulligan (@emlynmulligan) January 8, 2017
Well done @GmailMahony not like you to go just to take part, nah in it to win it... #VoteForMo #DWTSIrl @DWTSIRL 🕺🏻
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) January 8, 2017
I think @GmailMahony could win the fecking thing! #VoteforMo #DWTSirl
— Killian Young (@killianyoung) January 8, 2017
Des, too, received plaudits for his flair, with support coming from his loyal RTE colleagues. He got 16 from the judges for his foxtrot (which placed him in fourth), but he is 63, to be fair.
@sportsdes
Fair play to ye Des hope for all us old number 14^s 💃🎩👏👏— Vinnie Murphy QFA (@Vinniedub14) January 8, 2017
@GmailMahony @sportsdes well done lads. Great opening show, looking like naturals already 👏#DancingWiththeStars
— Brendan Cummins (@BrenCummins1) January 8, 2017
Enjoyed #DWTSIrl ! Serious moves from @GmailMahony ! Very proud of @sportsdes 👏👏👏 #dancingdessie
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) January 8, 2017
Dancin' Dessie! Love it #TeamDessie @paulcahill13 #DWTSIRL #DancingWiththeStars @sportsdes 😂
— Tony O'Donoghue (@Corktod) January 8, 2017
Fair fecks to the lot of them. Sober as well.
