Versatile Tipperary politician comes to the rescue of the 2 Johnnies

The fear of losing a potential vote in a Local Election means county councillors cannot afford to hesitate if called into action.

Versatility is key for a county councillor as they deal with frustrated locals to sort out potholes, water supply and other important issues often at short notice.

Andy Moloney, a county councillor based in Cahir, had to respond to a most unusual request to help out two men in a spot of trouble.

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Cllr Moloney went over and above the call of duty when called into action by well-known podcasters The 2 Johnnies.
Their much anticipated third iteration of Pints in a Field, which took place for the first time in Dublin in St Anne’s Park the weekend before last, was thrown into chaos at the last minute but the reliable Cahir councillor came to the rescue.

Daithi Ó Shea was due to act as MC for the event but had to pull out at the last minute leaving The 2 Johnnies searching for a suitable replacement with very little time to spare.

The call was made to local councillor and Tidy Towns stalwart Andy Moloney to see would he take on the challenge.
Without hesitation Andy stepped in to fill the shoes of Daithi, fitting in seamlessly, endearing himself to the legions of 2 Johnnies fans on a great day out in St Anne’s Park in front of 20,000 people.

“It was a great buzz, I was delighted to help out the two lads. I won’t be going into a career in broadcasting, I will stick with the council seat. Doing MC for The 2 Johnnies was a once off and I was happy to give them a hand but my local constituents come first,” insisted Andy.

Andy said he really enjoyed the experience of being on stage and having the banter with the crowd and the different performers as he introduced the Vengaboys, Pat Shortt and Jimmy Buckley onto the stage among others. “It was electric. The performers were amazing and everybody had a great time. It was pure craic, The 2 Johnnies love the fans as much as they love them,” said Andy.

Among those fans was Andy’s son Jack who had attended the previous two Pints in a Field events and was in the audience on this occasion to see his father on stage.

“He would be my biggest critic about how I did but I enjoyed it anyway,” said Andy.
His relationship with Johnny B and his family would go back years.
“I remember getting my first hurley from Johnny B’s grandfather and then getting them from Johnny B’s father. My own lad got his first hurley from Johnny B himself before he was a very well-known person,” said Andy Moloney.
“I would have known Johnny O’Brien all his life, and would have met him all the time coming and going from the GAA club.
“We would have been crossing paths a lot because of the GAA as he was doing MC and doing the local panto before he became a national figure,” said Andy.

“The two lads are on the road a long time and I remember helping them out when they were looking for a local premises for their podcast,” he said.

Andy would always be dropping in and out of the local studio to say hello and over time became part of the show.
“If they had to fill a gap I would get the call and I w ould drop up for a chat and a laugh on air. Sometimes I was on air but didn’t realise it,” said Andy.

For last year’s Christmas Party podcast from the Point Depot Andy was called in to do a quiz slot for the show in front of 15,000 people.

The call to arms for Pints in a Field gig came completely out of the blue.
“I was down in the Co-op and got a call from the lads to say they were rightly stuck.
“Daithi Ó Shea had to pull out of the Pints in a Field show and they were looking for somebody to fill in for an MC,” said Andy.
“I told them that if they wanted me I would not see them stuck,” he said.
“The Pints in a Field was a very different experience, it was not your ordinary Saturday night to be standing in front of 20,000 people,” he said.

Andy said there was a bit of pressure but he managed to get through it.
“There was maybe a one minute changeover between the acts. There was a bit of fun and skullduggery going on between everybody on the stage and you had to be on top of that. You had to be on the ball and keep it flowing, there was no let up,” said Andy.
“It was all good, clean fun. The 2 Johnnies are great community people. They are brilliant for Cahir, for Tipperary and for the country,” said Andy

It was a big day for Cahir with Cahir GAA club also in the spotlight. Club chairman Johnny Smacks presented a €1,000 cash prize to the winner of a club fundraiser — a lucky man from Holycross.
The draw added a local flavour to an already community-driven celebration, with club volunteers, officers, and supporters turning out in full force.

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Reflecting on the night, Johnny B said: “It’s the most unreal buzz to run out on stage and see so many people there, all ready to sing along and have the craic. To be able to do it with our own crew too — lads I’ve known all my life — it’s just special. The people of Tipp have always been great to us.”