All-Ireland winning Mayo manager Andy Moran was on RTÉ radio with Marty Morrissey yesterday morning. What he had to say was interesting – a report on it is here.
For starters, it was informative to hear that Andy credits the style of play he oversaw with his Sam Maguire winning team as being the one best suited to the Mayo psyche. Describing Mayo people as “expressive”, “fun” and a tribe who “like to enjoy ourselves”, he said that he never wanted to tamp down this positivity within the team “because that’s our personality, that’s who we like to be.”
In that interview, Andy also looked ahead to the club championships, with the first round matches at both senior and intermediate levels getting underway this coming weekend. He expressed his fears about some of the players getting injured over the coming weeks, given that their preparations for the upcoming club action will obviously have been hampered by the All-Ireland celebrations.
As he notes, it’ll come down to individual players to decide for themselves how ready they are – or aren’t – for the club games coming down the track. As Andy says, “I’m not going to stop anyone from enjoying this moment, we’ve waited long enough for it.”
Those who are expecting our Sam Maguire winning heroes to shine again over the coming weeks may, then, be disappointed but, if that’s what transpires, then that’s all okay. Club football is very different from inter-county and there are plenty of club players who will be well ready to display their talents to the full over the coming weeks. If the county lads aren’t in a position to go full throttle at club level, that shouldn’t come as any surprise to anyone.
I recall going to a club championship game between St Vincents and Ballymun Kickhams at a near-empty Parnell Park a fortnight after one of those All-Irelands we played against them – it was 2016 or 2017, I can’t recall which it was. What I do remember was that Ballymun had five or six of the Dublin panel on their team and most of them, notably Philly McMahon and Dean Rock, were utterly disinterested in taking any kind of active part in the proceedings that day in Parnell Park, even though it was a straight knockout tie.
They had their work done for the year and it showed – Vinnies won pulling up that day. And that was all fine.
Back to Andy, it’s interesting from that interview that he’s already peering ahead to what’s likely to be a crowded schedule for management and players from now until the end of the year. As well as meeting all these various commitments – some of which are likely to have a fundraising element, especially the overseas ones – Andy was also musing about his playing panel and getting “a training load into them so they’re ready for the last week of January next year for the National League.”
He’s already thinking of going again, you know, even if the rest of us are still doing daily rewatches of our day of deliverance. That’s why he’s the boss.


Whitey says:
August 4, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Like when the Red Sox broke their curse in 2004, many people feel that it was destiny that Mayo would won this years All Ireland Final. I’m a little superstitious (under statement) so I have been looking for some signs that this was our year. Here are some of what I’ve come up with so far:
White Jerseys
Reek Sunday
Ballaghadereen Connection
(Andy Manager/Sean Flanagan Player Manager)
Cup presented by Jarlath Burns-Sean Flanagan attended St Jarlaths College
Aide de comp of President Connolly a Ballintubber man-Tom McGrath-(Ballintubber the home club of Paddy Prendergast last surviving member of 1951 team)
Any other coincidences or anecdotes?
Mayo1992 says:
August 4, 2026 at 9:00 pm
To Whitey:
Opposition wearing green and yellow?
(I know we had bad finals against those colours, but still)
Jr says:
August 4, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Yes it is a very congested season for intercounty players.
If married with family only a few weeks left of school holidays.
They deserve a break and bigger clubs may oblige.
Difficult for smaller clubs.A lot of young college lads still in America.
Players not in the panel will bursting a gut to get a place on it.
People complaining about our club championship forget that there are very few easy games compared to other counties
Meath in their hay days had very poor club championships.
MoDíreach says:
August 4, 2026 at 9:17 pm
Whitey... I love the old signs myself. But I do think we just got the manager who liberated the lads to play their game. It was exhilarating and had its moments.
My tuppence worth. Sam Maguire was a Church of Ireland man from Dunmanway in Cork. The first service on the Reek on this Reek Sunday was a Church of Ireland service, where I said a prayer for the success of our Mayo team.
But whatever it was, I love it.
Mayo got Sam 💚❤️💚🎉🎉🎉
Let's do it again!!
Southmayo Exile says:
August 4, 2026 at 9:49 pm
I would think/hope all the county players will be chomping at the bit to play n the club championship.
It's a game every two weeks with most players playing only 3- 5 games between now and the end of the year. Players know they would have no all Ireland medal without their clubs
Fulton says:
August 4, 2026 at 10:17 pm
Regarding the signs of imminent glory, Soon before the louth game, a louth woman holidaying in Peru spotted a mayo Jersey in a pagan sun temple on the way up to machu pichu. This surely was a sign from gods. Up the Incas, a great bunch of lads.
TsuDhoNim says:
August 4, 2026 at 10:31 pm
@Jr: Can't speak for the lads just over on holidays, but the numbers playing in the states way down this year. Think it's just the 22 that got temp transfers, where recent years would have been pushing north of 40.
Liam Donoghue (Kiltane) with some impressive performances for Parnells and Liam Burke (Ballinrobe) with some OUTSTANDING performances for John McBrides (MOTM for me in pushing them to the Senior Final last weekend - In a team featuring Tyrone's Eoin McElholm & Ronan Cassidy or Dublin's Lorcan O'Dell) in Chicago the pick of the local lads I saw on streams.
JoeG says:
August 4, 2026 at 10:33 pm
I think Mayo fans really need the club championship now to fill the void left by the ending of the Inter County season. Always love club championship as I usually manage one or two games most of the weekends. I also buy the season pass but it's not available yet. Hope the Mayo players are sensible with what they should be doing straight away after an all Ireland campaign and the mandatory celebrations. The lads must be wrecked and less might be for the best at this time. They've earned a rest!
Jimbo says:
August 4, 2026 at 10:40 pm
There has being a big change in the mayo supporters for the last two games. Even when we went 7 points down against Kerry the loud cheering kept going and even got louder. I wonder is this down to John Keily comments on tv saying the limerick supporters were not doing their job against clare and he had to urge the supporters to get cheering the team on. Anyway the job is now complete and MAYO are the all-ireland champions for 2026. I never thought i would ever be able to say that.
Golden Cleric says:
August 4, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Fair play to Andy, as regards style of play, he stuck by his beliefs. I have no doubt, Mayo's emphatic win (and I say that, because they were hands down the better team) fed into Roscommon and Galway's performances in the AI ladies football finals.
Galway play Cork in the camogie final on Sunday and hopefully they too, draw on the now Mayo patented resolve.
All you ever hope for on final day is your team do themselves justice and leave it all on the pitch. Mayo have done Connaught a huge service in this regard and all reasonable minded supporters will acknowledge that.
TsuDhoNim says:
August 4, 2026 at 11:05 pm
@JoeG: The various season passes are available now alright.
Championship Pass (for attending games): https://www.universe.com/events/mayo-gaa-club-championship-pass-2026-tickets-L36JK9
€120 for access to all adult & underage Championship games.
Season Pass (for streaming games): https://mayo.streamsport.ie/
€125 for access to 30+ streamed Championship games this year. With 5 this coming weekend & the action throwing in Friday evening.
Henryk says:
August 4, 2026 at 11:44 pm
Think that the rounded numbers of 90years since 36, 75 since 51 and even 50 since Ted Webbs passing….
Skorzy says:
August 5, 2026 at 12:08 am
King Kev also died two weeks ago.
Born 1951.
Liberal role in the tie says:
August 5, 2026 at 12:09 am
After watching it back for the umpteenth time, a few general observations:
-For our goal, McBrien initially signalled to Ryan to go back... but Ryan had other ideas! As another poster said, I'd love to know what went through Ryan's head at that moment. Just magic.
-Eoin McGreal cramped around the 44th minute, he was stretching both calves. Just before that he forced Paudie to kick short. Brilliant defending.
With a little more strength and conditioning, he won't be subbed in 2027, mark my words. Top class player.
-Diarmuid O'Connor put smacht on Gavin White. Massive.
-Papa Durks and Paddy Tally. There's a strong Northern influence in our Mayo team. I love it. Also, Andy's experience in Monaghan.
-Paul Murphy will have nightmares for the rest of his life about white jerseys.
-Darragh Beirne is strong as an Ox, he'll be some unit in a year or two. He's as good outfield as he is inside. Made a difference when he roamed. Watch it back.
-Lovely hearing the emotion in Peter Canavan’s voice at the end.
-We missed a few shots!
-Beware Ireland if Kobe returns
-Andy's post match interview on the pitch: "Mayo are back"!
-2027: Mayo to really cut loose.
Solo and go says:
August 5, 2026 at 6:43 am
Anyone know where can purchase tickets for club games this weekend?
I can only find the pass for all matches rather than individual games
Thanks
JoeG says:
August 5, 2026 at 7:31 am
Thanks Tsu but on Mayo GAA streaming site it's still showing "Resource Not Found".
Jordan Kearns says:
August 5, 2026 at 7:42 am
Looking forward to the club championship and I’m looking forward to the 2027 championship and league and beyond I know under Andy we are going to be winning Sam next season and the seasons to
Come along with Connacht titles and a few league titles because of the players and squad we have aged 17-21
TsuDhoNim says:
August 5, 2026 at 8:43 am
@JoeG: Ohhh, that's a bit messy.
They seem to be doing a migration on how the individual counties are setup on StreamSport, moving from sub-directories to newer sub-domains. Possibly a few teething issues there (they're very responsive fixing stuff like that so I'll give them a poke later).
I purchased mine through the old directory structure and it worked ok (though even there some of the links, like "Season Pass", aren't live and you'd have to click on one the games themselves to get the option to purchase the pass - https://page.inplayer.com/mayogaa/ ).
@Solo and go: Yeah. The individual games not up quite yet.
Once they go live they'll be on that same site under - https://www.universe.com/users/mayo-gaa-WTRP5B
My Ball says:
August 5, 2026 at 10:06 am
I'm looking ahead too, We need find another ball winning mid fielder in the club championship.
Also if any of our full back line got injured , we are not spoilt for someone the same quality.
Not to mention a replacement for Kobe !
That's not being pessimistic, just thinking ahead .
I think we will see alot of new faces in the league.
We know what Enda , Paddy and Diarmuid and Stephen have to offer , just have them peaking for championship. Opportunity for any age club player in Mayo to put their hand up in club championship.
Ps. We're still All Ireland champions 🏆💚❤️
JoeT1480 says:
August 5, 2026 at 10:12 am
2027---
The League: get a gang of young bucks ready for senior championship football.
Win Connacht
Mangle Donegal and Tyrone on the way to handing Dublin a trimming to win 2 in a row.
Enjoy.
Repeat.
Mayo Man for Life says:
August 5, 2026 at 10:40 am
I'm hoping that we will see a big uplift in attendances now at the club championship games over the next few weeks and that the fantastic Mayo supporters will get behind their local clubs and hero's... In my experience there is a similar level of talent and excitement to be experienced particularly in the club championship's albeit at a local level so I would encourage Mayo supporters who may not in recent years have attended club games to try it...
Glorydays says:
August 5, 2026 at 10:44 am
The year is 2044 and Ollie Moran from Ballaghadereen climbs the steps of the Hogan Stand and lifts the Sam Maguire for Mayo can just see it happening
Jr says:
August 5, 2026 at 10:52 am
Howard will be a year further developed next as will the lad from Ballinrobe.
MacMonagle in the panel also,
What is the story with Morahan?
Some great prospects in Crossmolina, especially Deane.
Use league carefully.
Solo and Go says:
August 5, 2026 at 11:21 am
@TsuDhoNim
Thank you for the info
Moy2Pointer says:
August 5, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Player in the squad you would expected to be pushing for starting places in the league next year: L Golden, F Kelly, J McMonagle, D Duffy, H O'Loughlin, S Morahan, C Lynch, S Howard, D Thornton, C Dawson, T Lydon, C McHale
Players you would hope will be pushing for a squad place in league next year: N Coggins, C Keavney, J Moyles, J Holmes, D Flynn, O Deane, F McLaughlin
Players to return from injury or come back into the fold: E McLaughlin, D McHale, C Reape
This is before the first round of club championship starts, would expect a good few more to be putting their hand up here, we are in a very good position for youth and squad depth
Moyside says:
August 5, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Watch out for Tom Clarke in knockmore. Transferred back from moycullen after 4 years or so there, won 3 County titles with them playing midfield
Unstoppable says:
August 5, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I've been thinking over the past few days about whether we could really kick on in the 10 next years and what potential is there for us to win a few more titles. Included in this thinking is our recent underage performances, and I've come to the conclusion that its really not important!
Our U20s lost to Galway in the first round of the Connacht Championship in 2020 (Galway did go on to win the All Ireland). You never really hear much of the 2020 U20 crop as a result but they may go down as our best ever! This crop, who made no imprint at the time, produced 5 of our starters in the All Ireland final, and Oisin Mullin would surely have been a 6th starter, as well as a player who came off the bench and two players in the extended panel.
Likewise, in 2023, our U20s lost miserably to Sligo in the first round of the Connacht Championship. I remember the uproar on the page when that result happened! Funny how things work out though, because that team produced 2 starters in the All Ireland final, and 4 players on the bench!
In fact our underage success at U20 level is largely non-existent in the past 20 years but what it appears to me is that set up of our senior panel is top notch. And these players, who haven't been amazing at underage, seem to really kick on when they get exposed to the higher level of training and conditioning.
Food for thought.
Supermac says:
August 5, 2026 at 2:39 pm
There will be thousands at that belmullet v knockmore game, let's hope the festival atmosphere continues into the club champo and sees huge turnouts
TsuDhoNim says:
August 5, 2026 at 2:57 pm
@My Ball: Throw in finding a few more pacey forwards too and that'd be pretty close to my own shopping list. The good news is plenty of exciting options to keep an eye on for the Club Champ. Hopefully a few push on and really stick the hand up.
The high fielding options we'd hope should improve a fair bit with time, while still keeping the athleticism & ball playing Andy built around this year.
Seamie Howard & Dylan Thornton (hopefully the leg break is relatively quick to heal) were already very close this year & you'd hope another year could have both seeing more minutes if they keep up the form & the hard work up.
Then throw in a few lads like Ben Thornton or Joey Holmes (both u20s last year) and there might be some newer blood to push there. Interesting to see if a Liam Moore, Darragh Syron, Conal Dempsey, Oisín Tunney or Liam Donoghue (not as big as others mentioned, but athletic enough to outleap lads) who might push on to make a splash in the Champ. Mikey Murray still looks the pick of the fielders across the county, but with his injury issues over the years you could understand the focus being elsewhere.
Even younger again it'll be great to watch how Cormac O'Malley, Andrew Quinn, Josh Moyles (u19s), Adam Kelly, Sean Buckley, Ben Joyce, Conor Jordan, Ben Holmes or Cian May (all u18s) are ticking along as solid aerial options for next years 20s (1 or 2 there you wouldn't be shocked getting beyond that & towards a senior squad building for the future).
At the back a little harder to guess who might put the lámh up.
James Lavelle with a cracking year for the 20s taking on some huge man-marking roles (when most of us would have said his greatest strengths were pushing the other direction with the electric pace) could be a bolter. That said, just back from Chicago in time for the celebrations to go nuts... so it might be the u21s before we see him (or a lot of lads) properly.
Eoghan McLaughlin likely to push in again as a half-back option glancing at his form in the League Final. Seems to have picked up his hard tackling & hard pressing style straight from last year without missing a beat.
John MacMonagle you'd still have very high hopes for nailing down one of those back 6 spots seriously next year. Fingers crossed he gets a clear run from injuries for the year ahead. Colm Lynch too we'd hope will grow from his super year with the 20s & joining the senior panel after the campaign to push for minutes next year. Sean Morahan on the back of his great Sigerson campaign last year will have his sights set on a big club campaign and pushing in to a starting spot too.
Yousif Coghill, Lorcan Silke, Tom Lambert, Luke Jordan, Rio Mortimer, Cathal Keaveney, Finbar McLaughlin & Diarmuid Coggins (the latter few there better known as forwards, but doing some fantastic work from deep for clubs at times so wouldn't be shocked to see them there for the Champ even if they mightn't have the physicality for it at county) all exciting prospects I'll be keen to watch, though wouldn't like to predict which might have the bigger years. Though with the age profile of the backs in particular you wouldn't be shocked if there wasn't massive turnover to county panel come the '27 Championship.
Josh Moyles, Sean Óg McGuinness, James Ivers, Mark Noonan, David Hurley & Conor Coghill all possible u20s lads for next year with a good chance of seeing senior minutes (or Dáithí Butler, Barry Langan, Cathair Tighe & Kenzie McKee at Intermediate) you'd have the fingers crossed for showing well.
Should be a cracking year ahead.
Hard to disagree with Westport (with Ballina toe to toe), Moy Davitts or Burrishoole being favourites... but plenty of coin tosses across all the grades & plenty of teams that'll be looking at all the shocks at county level and thinking "why not...".
Mind the House says:
August 5, 2026 at 3:39 pm
@TSU
Great stuff as always.
The problem some of those young lads will have (particularly the defenders) is that the back 7 who started against Kerry could be nailed down for another 5 years. A great position for us to be in and it will keep everyone on their toes.
Having watched the final back for the 50th time I loved some of Darragh Beirnes work off the ball. Far from being intimidated he went after Kerry players and was happy to engage. A running battle with Joe O'Connor at times and the best of the lot came after Tommy bagged the insurance score. Darragh floored a Kerry player immediately. I couldn't quite make out who it was. It might well have been O'Connor again!!
catcol says:
August 5, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Great to see all those name TSU. And though Andy said we were so lucky not to have injuries this year, I have to disagree slightly. By my reckoning the following (who were nailed on last year), were injured/not available this year:
Eoghan Mac
Davitt Neary
Darren McHale
Colm Reape
One could say that these were unavailable from the start of the year, and a manager can adapt with what he has got. Still, as the year reached a climax, we had the following not available:
Dylan Thornton (when was that injury TSU?)
Diarmuid Duffy (I was very taken with his performances, especially Round 1 in Clones)
Stevie Coen (heartbreaking to miss out on the final, and a big blow to have your no 1 choice go out, even if DOC was brilliant)
Paddy D - never really fully fit
James Carr - ditto
Revellino says:
August 5, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Looking at the player ratings on one of the day after papers, I wondered, how Ryan had not been given a 10 rating. They gave him a 9. He was a one man army (his teammates were magnificent as well).
A special mention to Diarmuid O'Connor who was parachuted in for the injured Stephen Coen. Boy oh boy did Diarmuid not put in a mighty performance. Talk about an assurdness about the way he played. Breaking ball, pinning his man down, and a calmness in the storm. Magnificent.
I could mention all the players on their fine performances but Ryan was sensational.
I'll say, if we had Clifford and Kerry had Ryan, I'm not too sure if we would have lifted Sam. That's how good he was.
TsuDhoNim says:
August 5, 2026 at 4:38 pm
@catcol: I believe the injury was just coming in towards the Cork game. A lot of chat he was pushing to start that one (was flying for club in the weeks prior) so real unlucky timing.
Seamie picked up a niggle earlier in the year too that kept him out for a few weeks & hampered his chances a bit, so unlucky for the two big lads looking to push there. Though great work by the medical team to get him back in contention as quickly as they did, so easy to see why Andy was praising them.
Notable that a fair few of the lads who'd have struggled with recurring injuries in previous seasons were among the lads that moved back home this year. Possibly helping in getting a clear run at the year. Andy had similar experiences himself as a player where the high milage was playing puck with the injuries, so understandable he was so strong on that side of things.
Only 2 of those four mentioned would be injury related (McHale & McLaughlin) with only McHale being listed as an official member of the squad, so 3 of those lads wouldn't have been part of that ~90% fit for training figure Andy was speaking about.
Ontheroad13 says:
August 5, 2026 at 5:47 pm
How often have we had mcbrien, hession and mchugh fit to play together over the last few years? Very rarely and all 3 where flying and we needed them badly.
Regina says:
August 5, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Does anyone know when Plunkett left the panel?And on the topic of moving home, have we far fewer players living on the east coast now compared to ten years ago??
Mayo4698 says:
August 5, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Niall Hurley should be one to push through too, Outstanding Minor & U20
It Means Nothing to Me says:
August 5, 2026 at 8:49 pm
Just watched the final back on BBC, who did a very good job IMO. It was hard to appreciate it live because of the tension, but we should have won that game by more than three points. The ceiling for this group is high if we can sort out a few things around breaking ball at centerfield and improve our shooting accuracy a bit.
I would suggest underage remains a concern though, we don’t want to make a habit of losing to Roscommon, Galway or Sligo, winning is a habit.
Catcol says:
August 6, 2026 at 12:51 am
Plunkett leaving?
And also, did I miss where/when Keith Higgins got involved?
JoeG says:
August 6, 2026 at 7:09 am
Worth keeping an eye on Darragh Joyce of Claremorris too. Had an excellent Sigerson campaign and has impressed whenever I've seen him.
Mayo Focus says:
August 6, 2026 at 9:27 am
I posted this column at back end of 2024 & it didn't go down too well with some. We found the missing ingredient after all! So much of it came through, no more so than the improvement in our two pointer attempts!
https://www.mft.ie/what-is-the-missing-ingredient-for-sam/
When you think back to 2025 & the Cavan shambles, it's remarkable.
Roscommon this year was possibly even worse. I was disgusted after it to be honest.
And now we are champions. The important thing now is to keep pushing. Keep driving on. We don't want to return to the wilderness of the 2022-2025 period. from a fan perspective, it was terrible.
My Ball says:
August 6, 2026 at 11:39 am
If Rob Hennelly retired and that's an IF , what club goalkeepers would be worth a look in FBD and the league. That was the only criticism of management last year was that Livingston didn't get much game time ...and boy , did he prove a good one .
TsuDhoNim says:
August 6, 2026 at 11:51 am
@Regina: After the Roscommon game.
@Catcol: Stepped in fully & hands on pre-game once the u20s finished up. Had been working closely with the lads earlier in the year so probably no big shifts there internally, and great with the 5 20s lads involved to give them the bit more familiarity. All the chat from players (senior & 20s) & even how his own words came across in the media all incredibly positive.
Barry Solan the other that seemed to step in as a bit of a surprise to us. Think that was the Roscommon League game in R7 the 1st time he was out on grass for the warm-up. Was certainly there for London in the Championship a couple of weeks later.
TsuDhoNim says:
August 6, 2026 at 12:08 pm
@My Ball: David Dolan (Balla) has played some FBD before when still u20, so one I wouldn't have any concern throwing in for minutes next year. His year at #3 likely to see him stepping up to #2 (and with the potential to keep pushing Jack for that #1).
Luke Jennings (Ballinrobe) has an absolute weapon of a kickout if we wanted to look at something a bit different. You could be setting runs for the opposition 45 as much as your own. One I'd have tipped for potential inclusion each of the last 3 years or so. Always there or there abouts since his underage days.
Jamie Lunt (Ballaghaderreen), Adam Byrne (Aghamore), Darragh Fallon (Claremorris) & Jamie McNicholas (Kiltimagh) probably the lads that were hitting form last year and no doubt talent there. All worth keeping an eye on.
Catcol says:
August 6, 2026 at 12:46 pm
TSU, you are a goldmine of information!
Didn’t even notice Barry Solan in Ruislip, or Castlebar for that matter. By God, the S&C of which I had been critical, was off the charts for the final. Kerry’s physical superiority; huh.
Catcol says:
August 6, 2026 at 12:48 pm
And, who TSU, were the other two U20 lads?
TsuDhoNim says:
August 6, 2026 at 12:58 pm
@Catcol: Colm Lynch (Parke) & Tom Lydon (The Neale) both joined the panel once the 20s finished up. They'd both have been involved early in the year for FBD minutes too (Lydon scored 2 screamers of 2 pointers in the Roscommon FBD game).
James Fleming says:
August 6, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Are the Mayo team coming to Kiltimagh
Catcol says:
August 6, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Thanks TSU. Saw both in FBD, and they are very good. Are they pacey? Couldn’t quite get a handle on their athleticism.
TsuDhoNim says:
August 6, 2026 at 2:12 pm
@Catcol: Kobe, McGreal & Lavelle would have been the real speedsters in that 20s panel I'd have thought, but Lynch wouldn't be too far behind. Hugely athletic, decent in the air, pacey enough to cause problems bombing forward (was taking the game to plenty of teams with his surging runs this year at 20s - used to cause havoc back in his minor days as a much smaller player, where he wouldn't burn lads for pace so much as they just couldn't get the paw near him with his jinking runs) and well able to kick a 2 so a very solid all rounder. You'd throw him in at wing-forward as easily as wing-back kinda thing.
Lydon probably at a small bit slower than Beirne? But feels similar enough watching the two lads to be comparable without seeing a direct footrace. So again not his main strength, but not a weakness & well able to burn a defender down the line even before throwing a dummy or a feint which he'd be very adept at. Two footed (right naturally), direct, always knows where the posts are and able to sniff out a score. Exceptional long range shooter & always seems to have an impressive work ethic too, though the tackling technique still in need of some work there (though solid for an u20).
Carramore says:
August 6, 2026 at 3:19 pm
In response to Whitey’s request for suggestions on coincidences/ omens, I don’t know if it was mentioned already, but was Sean Flanagan, who captained the 1951 team, a corner back (other corner)? Also, was there something about it being the 40th anniversary of Knock Basilica?
On a slightly different topic, watching and re-watching the wonderful outpouring of joy on the day and since, aren’t we lucky we didn’t win in 2021? Covid and the time of year would have been real dampeners.
Southmayo Exile says:
August 6, 2026 at 7:06 pm
No doubt the contribution of Barry Solan was huge in terms of having the team right come championship.
He was also excellent when he worked with the team under James Horan
Catcol says:
August 6, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Thanks TSU, fantastic detail there.
Of course Andy and Boyle may be looking at/for younger types who could still be under the radar.
Nephinviewer says:
August 7, 2026 at 2:02 am
Delighted for a youthful team to win the ultimate prize.
In terms of S+C the above is incorrect. Conor Finn (Claremorris) is head of performance / s+c , Martin Connor (Claremorris) and David Hughes (GPS) were also instrumental.
Solan had a consultancy role due to his other commitments which no doubt was important but credit where credit is due to the men on the ground. He also didn’t work under Horans recent tenure.
Regardless a massive team effort by all of the backroom medical, nutrition, psychological, and the amazing players themselves.
Pebblesmeller says:
August 7, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Sean Flanagan was originally from much closer to Ballyhaunis than Ballaghaderreen, so that's another link to Ballyhaunis All Ireland winning captains.
Another one for the Ballyhaunis books, John "Doc" Healy captained Mayo to an All Ireland Junior title back in the 50's. Doc was a brilliant, hardy back and came into the team after Mayos 1951 success. He grew up across the road from where the Dome is now. A gentleman.
Whitey says:
August 7, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Since 1951 Mayo have contested 12 finals
They lost 11-winning on their 12th attempt
7+5 =12
Tirawleybaron says:
August 8, 2026 at 5:40 am
Id be leaving anyone who is over 28 off till after christmas.
Also leave anyone who makes a county semi final off as well.
So id be picking whats left from the below
Goalkeepers (2)
Jack Livingstone (Breaffy)
Colm Reape (Knockmore)
Full-Back Line (9)
Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis)
Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar)
David McBrien (Ballaghaderreen)
Eoin McGreal (Garrymore)
Rio Mortimer (Claremorris)
John MacMonagle (Castlebar)
Tom Lambert (Westport)
Colm Lynch (Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin)
Liam Golden (Ballina)
Half-Back Line (9)
Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport)
Sam Callinan (Ballina)
Enda Hession (Garrymore)
Fenton Kelly (Davitts)
Diarmuid Duffy (Ballinrobe)
Seán Morahan (Castlebar)
Ruairí Keane (Mayo Gaels)
Hugh O'Loughlin (Kilmaine)
Jack Moyles (Crossmolina)
Midfield (5)
Jack Carney (Kilmeena)
Bob Tuohy (Castlebar)
Dylan Thornton (Ballina)
David Dolan (Balla)
Seamus Howard (Bellmullet)
Half-Forward Line (9)
Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina)
Conal Dawson (Westport)
Frank Irwin (Ballina)
Fionn McDonagh (Westport)
Finbar McLaughlin (Westport)
Darren McHale (Knockmore)
Cathal Keaveney (Parke)
Dylan Flynn (Crossmolina)
Joey Holmes (Westport)
Full-Forward Line (8)
Ryan O'Donoghue (Belmullet)
Cian McHale (Moy Davitts)
Paul Towey (Charlestown)
Darragh Beirne (Claremorris)
Niall Hurley (Claremorris)
Tom Lydon (The Neale)
Niall Coggins (Crossmolina)
Oisín Deane (Crossmolina)
Saying that, if crossmolina, westport, ballina, castlebar and moy davitts have a long club season, thats 15 off that panel already
MartyK says:
August 8, 2026 at 10:06 am
Correct Whitey and another way to look at that is, including two drawn games, we contested 14 AIF matches, winning the 14th. Now, put all that behind us !
Belmsy says:
August 8, 2026 at 11:43 pm
Coincidences
1936 Jackie (Jack) Carney plsyed on All Ireland winnimg team
1950/51 Jackie (Jack) Carney trainef the all Ireland Winning teamd ith Padraig Carney at midfield
2026 Mayo have a Jack Carney at Midfield
2026 the 90th annivrrsary of Mayos first All Ireland win , in 1936 Limerick also won the hurling
Whitey says:
August 9, 2026 at 12:57 am
Thanks everyone
Just thought of one more
Cannons pub in Castlebar closed in 1989.
It reopened in 2026
David McCormick the new owner, is the great grand nephew of John Eddie McEllin who played in 2 All Irelands for Mayo 1917 and 1921 (played in 1923) and who was one of the main drivers behind the 1936 victory
Hairy man says:
August 10, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Hi everyone what great times we are living in , enjoy it all while we can, I would like to know who were county champs in 1936 50/51 just as a mater of interest
Moy2Pointer says:
August 10, 2026 at 1:40 pm
1936 was Ballycastle and 1950 & 1951 was Castlebar
Martin W says:
August 10, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Anyone receive their white jersey yet. Ordered from O'Neills night of the final. Friend ordered from Elverys the next day. We both expect to wait but dying to get them
John Gunnigan says:
August 10, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Andy's in the house! New podcast show up on Patreon now, in which Mike chats with the All-Ireland winning manager.
No doubt says:
August 10, 2026 at 10:08 pm
Yes Martin w jersey came to my house today ordered from O'Neill's
Thatteamwontstart says:
August 11, 2026 at 11:59 am
Fionn McDonagh was some prospect. I hope he is still playing and really gets the head down to re-ignite his inter county career he has all the attributes you need.