John Mahon

John Mahon took the long way to a first-team debut, coming through Ballisodare United before joining the Sligo Rovers academy and breaking into the senior side in 2017. He spent five seasons establishing himself there, making 102 appearances and scoring twice, and picked up individual recognition along the way — Young Player of the Year in 2018, then Player of the Year in 2021, before St Johnstone triggered a release clause and signed him for an undisclosed six-figure fee in January 2022.

The move to Scotland did not work out as hoped. Mahon made only a handful of appearances for St Johnstone before the two sides mutually agreed to terminate his contract in January 2023, and he returned to Sligo Rovers on a free transfer that same month. Back on home ground, he rebuilt his career, went on to captain the club in 2025 and added 50 more league appearances in his second spell.

In December 2025, Mahon signed for Waterford FC on a permanent basis. He made his debut for the club in the opening game of the 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division season, starting away to Shelbourne in a 1-1 draw.

Mahon's representative honours have stayed at underage level: he played for the Republic of Ireland Schools team in a friendly against Australia Schools in January 2017 and was later named in an Ireland U21 training squad in January 2019, without progressing to senior international recognition.