So much has been said and written over the last six weeks about Mayo’s historic win that it feels like we are reaching saturation point. Being saturated in joy is no hardship, however, and if that’s the cross we need to bear, we’ll happily shoulder it for a while yet. As the dust starts to settle, and the initial euphoria is replaced by a deep sense of peaceful contentment, here are a few thoughts that have been percolating in recent days.
Getting to know this team and management
I referenced it in a comment on MFT a couple of weeks ago but one of the things that felt different with Mayo from the start this year was Andy’s willingness to open the door to the Mayo faithful and give us a glimpse of what was cooking.
That required a certain level of bravery at which previous managers have understandably balked – the pressure cooker environment in which Mayo had been operating (not helped by some farcical off-field mishaps and mishandlings) probably meant the safer, easier option was to close ranks. The downside of that, however, was that, especially after 2021, Mayo fans had felt estranged from their own team.
Andy’s own frankness in interviews, his willingness to embrace the Mayo mania and his custom of bringing a player into post-match press briefings indicated a shrewd and strategic desire to rebuild that connection with fans.
Not every manager would have managed it quite so well, but Moran’s own experiences in the Horan era meant his radar was finally tuned to what fans wanted and also ensured he was best placed to confidently manage it.
It wasn’t always pretty but it was revealing. We saw him bare his teeth more than once, even to local media, but this only served to convince Mayo fans that Nice Andy also had the necessary ruthlessness to make the hard calls. Equally, his brief faltering in the aftermath of the Roscommon game reminded us that he too was a human being on a steep learning curve.
When he bullishly confronted the press in the aftermath of the Louth game, Mayo fans responded wholeheartedly, because for the first time in living memory, a manager had bitten back on their behalf.
Following the final, team and management generously threw open the gates, so that anyone with even a passing interest in football and fairytales could feast on the story of how it happened. Such openness is unprecedented in recent GAA history, and it is a real shame that the remarkable six-in-a-row Dublin team never similarly cracked open the shutters to give football fans a glimpse of either themselves or the process.
Andy’s mentor Johnno gave us ‘A Year ‘Til Sunday’ and in turn his protégé gifted us his own window to Mayo’s world in the modern era. Even our youngest players showed remarkable confidence and maturity in front of the mics.
In a series of revealing in-depth conversations on the MFT podcast that this writer fervently hopes is not yet concluded, several of the players have shared their own perspectives on the day, along with the journeys that have shaped them.
We heard how James Carr accepted his role as a squad player with extraordinary grace and application. How Darren McHale, sidelined with a soul-destroying series of injuries, played such an important role. How Tommy Conroy was one of those young fellas on the Hill supporting Mayo in previous years, and how Jack Carney wants his role in the odyssey to be remembered as one of kindness and decency.
Gaining all of these insights has enhanced the supporters’ experience of winning Sam immeasurably. Not only do we now have a real sense of the personalities of the people involved, we also have some fascinating insights into what it takes – mentally and physically – to compete at the very top level.
But most of all, we are filled with a deep sense of pride. These men have shown that they are genuine role models for not just the young people of Mayo, but for all of us.
Learning how to be winners
It is an unfamiliar feeling, but we have slipped into winner mode surprisingly comfortably. The players’ celebrations were joy-soaked and wholesome, and laser-focused on what was important: family, club and community. Supporter celebrations for the most part have felt wholesome, gracious and unobnoxious, There has been no showboating. There is a quiet satisfaction and a real sense of peace.
I hope, should we be so fortunate as to win again, that this will always be the case. That we will retain our introspection and always remember from whence we have come, and how hard it is to fall at the final fence.
The peaceful off-season
For what is definitely not the first time in recent memory, but certainly feels that way, all seems at peace within Mayo GAA. We are not in the headlines for any of the wrong reasons, nor are we rudderless at a crossroads. Rather, our neighbours in Galway are the ones frantically searching for a new manager, while Monaghan are dealing with allegations of a heave.
Mayo’s county board, meanwhile, are quietly and efficiently striking while the iron is hot and making hay, via a series of clever fundraising initiatives, while the sun shines. That new COE is looking very promising already. We might even knock a few quid off the debt while we’re at it.
Turning back to the club
The club season is turning out to be a microcosm of the inter-county championship, with a wide open field and plenty of surprises. Every weekend, we are watching with wide-eyed wonder young men with All-Ireland medals in their back pockets take to the field, and clubs that would have ranked as outsiders are embracing the “why not us?” mindset.
The universal good humour of club volunteers and stewards across the entire county has not gone unnoticed either. Winning does wonders for a county.
Looking towards the future
The immediate aftermath of winning is one thing. But the 2027 season is only around the corner, and, with it, another whole new learning curve. How lightly – or not – will the winners’ mantle and its associated expectations rest upon our shoulders next year, as players and supporters? Will we embrace this new pressure, or get altitude sickness?
How will it feel being applauded onto the pitch in round 1 of the NFL as All-Ireland champions? Visiting places like Armagh as champions? How will we approach next year’s championship? Was winning just once really enough, or was this just a taster?
A brave new world awaits. How lucky we are to be part of it.
FreeTheEastBank says:
September 8, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Winning just once is definetly not enough for me.Mayo are consistently in finals basically one in every 5 years since 1950 we need to win more of them.2026 can be a turning point but Mayo has always had success.I remember coming out of Carrick a few years ago after we relegated Kildare and a Kildare guy goes to me "Ah Jesus Mayo I dont know how ye keep goin"....I said dont worry about us .....how do you keep goin
Liberal role in the tie says:
September 9, 2026 at 7:30 am
Jack Carney said that they've all agreed that come December the celebrations stop. Then they are no longer All Ireland champions, the focus shifting firmly onto 2027. Might be easier said than done but it's great to see that mindset.
It Means Nothing to Me says:
September 9, 2026 at 9:09 am
All changed, changed utterly.
I really hope that we use this time, when there is unprecedented goodwill and financing opportunities both inside and outside the county, to take a good look at what we're doing well and also what hasn't worked so well in recent years, and to fix anything that needs fixing.
I suspect also that from January on, when we take to the field as defending champions, a lot of the external goodwill will probably diminish or even vanish. So be it: that is the price of being winners.
We should enjoy next season come what may, as 31 counties would kill to be in our shoes.
Moy2Pointer says:
September 9, 2026 at 10:25 am
FreeTheEastBank - Agreed. These players now have the motivation to go on and become the most decorated Mayo players in history. Given their age profile, winning 2–3 All-Irelands over the course of their careers should be the minimum benchmark. Some of them could have another 10–15 years at senior level, so there’s a real opportunity to build a legacy that puts them among the greatest Mayo players ever.
mayotillidie says:
September 9, 2026 at 10:57 am
Can we use this as a catalyst, to win more minor, more U20, and more senior titles. Can we get McHale Park paid off, can we use good will to pay and build, the new center of excellence. Improve and increase central coaching staff, to help the clubs coaches. Improve club facilities. We have a wave of goodwill, now we need to use this to set up Mayo Football for years. Hard to think of this now, we are so happy, but this time we need to be making hay.
No doubt says:
September 9, 2026 at 11:24 am
Sometimes things don't go according to plan. Not long ago here we were complaining about lack of underage titles and nobody coming through. The plan was to beat roscommon and we didn't thankfully,the plan was to beat Tyrone and we didn't thankfully. One of the beauties of sport is how unpredictable it is and another is how rewarding it can be. We are all ireland champions and it can never be taken from us and with that should come belief and confidence for the future. Boy it still feels good.
to win just once says:
September 9, 2026 at 1:55 pm
It is definitely a major monkey off our back. For me winning the title even “ just once” was all I ever wanted. It has been even better than I expected. The door has now been opened but we have a good team with a great age profile with some good younger lads coming up behind them and surely good young lads want to make the panel now when they see what some of their fellow outstanding teenagers have already achieved. Come next Spring I expect I will be as passionate as ever but I expect not to feel the apprehension I have felt before when we were playing in big matches. It was just so crucial to get that one win under our belts. It will be difficult to win another title and even more difficult to do the 2 in a row, something that only the Dubs have managed in over 2 decades. Gaelic Football has never been as democratic. At least 10 counties can genuinely believe they have a chance of winning Sam. While talent is non negotiable, momentum and luck play huge parts in success. Amazingly losing to Roscommon and Tyrone worked to our advantage though we didn’t think that at the team. We were also almost caught by Monaghan and gave Meath a 10 point lead, so those games could have gone in the other direction as well. The biggest game changer in the whole year I believe was Sam Mulroys last second goal v Armagh. It totally altered the whole shape of the championship sending a deflated Armagh to Kerry the following Saturday where they were soundly beaten. Corks win in Donegal was massive too, so many games produced unusual results which utterly changed the trajectory of teams. I expect Tyrone to be serious contenders next year. They took Armagh to extra time, beat Roscommon when they were on a high, beat us ( present AI champions) and were desperately unlucky v Kerry in a brilliant quarter final. They have lots of great young players and a fantastic legacy of underage success. But loads of other counties will fancy their chances as well. And so will we once we get over the well deserved celebrations.
catcol says:
September 9, 2026 at 2:52 pm
TWJO - you are right to reference those games in which we lived dangerously, and to highlight other contenders.
However, I think this new format has been the game changer. It has levelled things, because no team can plan more than one game ahead; no more 'ah sure we'll beat these lot in second gear and save ourselves for the harder stuff'. Every match is on the line. If you look back, and I did, to some of Andy's and Boyler's comments pre Monaghan, pre Meath and so on, they are the comments of guys not looking further ahead than the upcoming Saturday. I think that's what did for McGuinness and McGeeney to a lesser extent.
There is no pattern to the competition. Just think that qualifying for the quarter finals in two games didn't matter a hoot; along came Mayo, Dublin, Kerry and won three games on the trot, something I thought would be next to impossible.
The one significant thing that turned out to be on the money was Andy saying that Mayo would thrive in Croke Park. Others have said that before of course, but the space it allows for our athleticism and pace was critical, and our confidence grew as we realised its benefits.
All of which makes me a little nervous of going back to McHale Park...
Keeper Sweeper says:
September 9, 2026 at 3:05 pm
As we are now the aristocrats of Gaelic Football (!!) it’s only right that we, as supporters, up our game a bit and expand our repertoire of anthems and chants to match the style and quality of our players.
Whether it’s in a stadium concourse, at closing time in the Rendezvous, Byrnes, Leonards, or the bar in Knock Airport — wherever Mayo supporters gather — it’s important that our songs display a higher standard than those of others.
“The Green and Red of Mayo” is a fine tune and well known among supporters, especially compared to the old struggle of trying to get a crowd going with “Far Away from the Land of the Shamrock and Heather.” But I think divine intervention has now provided us with a wonderful addition.
Glasgow Celtic supporters have embraced the chorus of “Lady of Knock”, particularly at their away games. Wouldn’t this be an excellent addition for us — a way to show our shared appreciation and support for our team? Maigh Eo Abú
Rusty Bridges says:
September 9, 2026 at 7:27 pm
I like it sweeper keeper!
"Andy Miran, King of Ireland.
All my cares & troubles cease.
As we knell with Sam around us!!!
Sam has come home, we're now at peace"
Rusty Bridges says:
September 9, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Courtesy of AI - not bad either
Verse of Lady of Knock...
"Oh, your message still unspoken
But the truth in silence lies
Seventy-five long years of waiting
Ended ’neath July’s blue skies
Here stands Andy Moran guiding
Jack Coyne lifts the Sam with pride
Ryan O’Donoghue the hero
With Beirne’s goal and Carney’s stride"
Ontheditch says:
September 9, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Latest from PP
Mayo Senior Club Football Championship 2026
Crossmolina Deel Rovers 15/8
Breaffy 9/2
Castlebar Mitchels 9/2
Westport 9/2
Garrymore 15/2
Claremorris 10/1
Aghamore 14/1
Belmullet 14/1
The shrewd punters have come in for Crossmolina (from 7/2). Garrymore the value bet and Belmullet/Aghamore out with the washing.
Paul C says:
September 9, 2026 at 8:39 pm
If we were looking for new songs for MacHale Park I would be proposing Dog Days Are Over but I'd really love to see us embrace something Darragh Beirne said after AIF. He said something along the lines of "We said we would give them hell". I'd really enjoy a "Welcome to Hell" kinda vibe to MacHale Park with pyrotechnics and ACDC music pumping. The pyrotechnics were great at the Connacht rugby game last year.
It would make for some atmosphere on those cold Saturday nights.
Pepsi says:
September 9, 2026 at 8:59 pm
I used to wonder what would happen if Mayo actually won the All Ireland, would i be as interested in seeing more wins or would just the one be satisfactory, would i lose the hunger for the game etc.
No that it has happened I would certainly like to see a few more.
Nephin says:
September 9, 2026 at 9:09 pm
Great piece Anne-Marie.
I was the same Pepsi. I remember the night before the 13 final asking my friend, suppose we win this, what then. Well now I know, I want more of this, but will be able to enjoy following the team without the anxiety. People spoke all year about bonus territory. Now that’s where we are.
Rusty Bridges says:
September 9, 2026 at 10:06 pm
@Pepsi more please. This win was incredible. But the 2010s were amazing too in a different way. The amount of brilliant days out we had, cheering on the mighty warriors on the field. We didn't get to the holy grail but I'd do it all again!
We absolutely cannot fall off. F*** that.
To win just once referenced it earlier but a lot of things just fell right for us this year. Had we beaten Tyrone, we might have faced Kerry in quarter final.. and things could have been so different. We got it right, at the right time, on the biggest days of all.
Jordan Kearns says:
September 10, 2026 at 7:57 am
It’s only the start of our dominance of winning Sam Maguire retaining Sam and winning it again in the seasons to come we have 5-6 all Irelands out of that team and more to come we have more coming under Andy
John Gunnigan says:
September 10, 2026 at 9:06 am
This column from Anne-Marie (which, as ever, is excellent) is available to our Patreon club members and the previous one, from me, is up now here on MFT and available to all.
Just the two pods since the weekend as well! The one yesterday is an in-depth discussion about how the All-Ireland win could prove the spark for positive change more widely in the county and we've made a 20-minute taster segment of this pod available for free on all platforms. Our latest club pod has gone up on Patreon this morning as well.
It never stops!
mayotillidie says:
September 10, 2026 at 9:32 am
while nobody happier than me, if we won 5 or 6 more in next 15 years. However, remember the Clare hurling team of 2013. Beat Cork in that All-Ireland, had a very young successful team, had generational talent on that that team, Tony Kelly, Shane O'Donnell, had dominated underage with that team, very young age profile, so looked like more titles were going to be coming to clare. But took till 2024 before they reached promise land again. And more teams, have the capacity to win Sam, that potential champs in hurling. Can we win more All-Ireland, Yes but not going to be easy, with Kerry, Donegal, Dublin, Tyrone Armagh, Galway, and with other teams making strides to join the top teir group of teams
Borderline says:
September 11, 2026 at 9:55 am
Does anyone know if there is any update on the London game in November, is it going ahead? there was to be a meeting last week on it
tirawleybaron says:
September 11, 2026 at 1:17 pm
As SAM tours the schools, sewing a legacy for the next 20 years, the players need to reflect on that they wish to achieve from here. Lets face it, no one in Mayo ever looked past 1 title.
But the great teams evolve, year on year with new players stepping up and older one moving to the bench to keep standards high and bring their expereince to bear in the clutch moments.
A few of the older lads on the panel no longer have a place on the bench as they havent the legs to play the game Mayo are playing.
There are others who never thought a win was likely and didnt commit to it as much as they could - one or two of those will decide they want to be on the field for the next win.
Then there are the next young batch, who say Kobe and Darragh step up without serving an apprenticeship and will fancy a craic at it themselves.
At the very highest level, as Keiran MCGeeney said - some players would like to win but only a few really want to win. For 2027, can this squad put everything to one side and go again - probably not - can enough of them plus a few more who didn't play on the day go there again - I wouldnt bet against it.
Intercounty football is not what it was - Lets face it, Mayo chucked together their team after the Roscommon game - throwing out all that happened before because it wasnt working.
So they built a team and gameplan in 8 weeks, which won the all ireland.
The reality is that for any county who wants to win the All Ireland - you can give the league and provincial championship matches a rattle with your up and coming players - making sure everyone is fit and ready for the start of June - when you need a big 8 weeks of full commitment to get over the line. Everything is about making sure they are good to go 2 weeks after the provincial final.
I wouldn't be worried about SAM touring schools and clubs till christmas - its not like these lads are showing up drunk with the cup.
If they want it, there is nothing to stop them being ready to go in June. They still need a replacement for Kobe, some tall options in midfield and a lot more work on their mid range kick outs.
O Shea, COC, Coen, Loftus, Conroy, Durcan et al, might no longer have the legs to play 70 min at the pace Mayo need - but they have lost enough to have the desire to want to win more. There are another 10/12 young lads who were off the panel - who surely feel they can step up like McGreal, Livingston, Bierne and become serious county players.
The concern with chasing All Irelands, is often the underage quality drops off. Only Kerry and Tyrone are consistant at underage - we still need our underage to produce 2/3 new county standard players every year - that is how serial winners do it.
JoeT1480 says:
September 12, 2026 at 11:56 am
Speaking of reflections.......
I saw my own in Sam McGuire yesterday in Westport.
I went home and watched The Game again.
Happy.
Observer2 says:
September 12, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Those of you talking about back to back All Ireland's, bringing Our Lady of Knock into it, not to mention pyrotechnics and AC/DC style thumping at McHale Park, should get yourselves into your local bookies, and get your money on Mayo for 2027.
A leading bookmaker firm has Mayo as fourth favourites to retain Sam at odds of 15/2.
Kerry are 2/1 favourites, Galway 6/1 and Donegal 7/1.
Having Galway as second favourites, suggests the bookies are placing great store on the fact that Joyce is gone.
mayotillidie says:
September 16, 2026 at 3:19 pm
I think 15/2 a fair price on Mayo, but Galway should not be ahead of Mayo. PJ or no PJ,, they might have missed the boat on All Ireland with current team. I have Armagh Donegal and Kerry and Tyrone above mayo. Dublin and Galway joint 6th. I have the winner from those 7 team, have another 6 teams, that can possible cause any of the above teams problems on a given day, such as Cork, Westmeath, Roscommon, Meath Louth and Monaghan. Dont want to think about 2027 AI, lets enjoy 2026, first