It’s been a heavy lift on a number of fronts over the last few weeks but Keeping the Faith, my book about supporting Mayo, the blog, MFT and the the county’s march to Sam, went to print this week.
Published by Mayo Books Press and including a foreword by Mayo captain Jack Coyne, Keeping the Faith still available to pre-order (here) but it’ll be in the shops very soon and will be available to order online then as well.
There’ll be a launch event for the book at the forthcoming Wild Atlantic Words literary festival in Castlebar. The slot for the book launch at the festival is Tuesday 6th October, 8-9pm, and there’ll be more details on this in due course.
RosTown says:
September 18, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Very good John. Looking forward to getting a copy of this book. Should be a good read.
Nephin says:
September 18, 2026 at 12:44 pm
That’s great John. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the postman.
Anne-Marie says:
September 18, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Great stuff John. Looking forward to the 6th!
catcol says:
September 18, 2026 at 1:26 pm
Well done John - looking forward to devouring this shortly.
Am just in the door from St. Patrick's Church in Corduff, Blanchardstown. What a morning!
I headed over from my Southside lair thinking there might be a few dozen at this gig, and basically, I'd have it all to myself. About two thousand turned up and packed out a very big church for the nine o'clock mass. The priest, Fr. John Regan, a human dynamo, managed to inject a bit of religion into a green and red fiesta. Jack Carney and Enda Hession in attendance, as was Sam of course who had pride of place on the altar.
Tea and sandwiches, cakes and buns for everyone! in the parish hall afterwards. Met an old friend there who was actually the guitarist for the morning. Queued up for a photograph with the lads afterwards. Oh, and one with David Brady too. Just sayin
No white feather says:
September 18, 2026 at 1:54 pm
That was some morning alright in Corduff Catcol. A fantastic crowd of mostly, but not all Mayo people. Father John did a great job. Jack Carney and Enda Hession were on hand for the photographs with Sam. These lads never cease to amaze me with the amount of time they have put in bringing Sam around to all the various venues and posing for photos for hours on end.
catcol says:
September 18, 2026 at 3:11 pm
And thanks for the heads up NWF!
Robe Green and Red says:
September 18, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Great read for Xmas Day.
Robe Green and Red says:
September 18, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Looking forward to seeing Andy and the Mayo panel on late late tonight. We’re living in great times now. Long may it last
Moy2Pointer says:
September 18, 2026 at 4:15 pm
Excellent - any plans of an audiobook version of this ? Would be a great way to enjoy the commute over the winter
JP says:
September 18, 2026 at 6:42 pm
Massive achievement John.
Your blog played a part in generating the supporter interest over the last 19 years.
FrostTHammer says:
September 18, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Congratulations John
to win just once says:
September 18, 2026 at 8:16 pm
Well done John. Looking forward to it
John Gunnigan says:
September 18, 2026 at 9:25 pm
There are no plans for an audiobook, Moy2Pointer, not anytime soon anyway. It's just an old-fashioned book for now.
Mayo Gaels have just beaten Balla, by the way, by 0-15 to 0-11 in tonight's relegation semi-final. Five up at the break and totally dominant in the third quarter, Balla couldn't finish them off and the Gaels came with a storming run late on to win it.
Jr says:
September 18, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Thanks John,
Found it hard to get the result.
Great for the Gaels.
Yewtree 2 says:
September 18, 2026 at 10:17 pm
Comhghairdeas John! Looking forward to reading it. Your work over the years has helped keep the flame lit. GRMA and keep up the good work
Left Boot. says:
September 18, 2026 at 11:11 pm
Great stuff John, looking forward to a good read, looking back, the long wait, the excitement & finally Sam turns up!
Outside of the Boot says:
September 18, 2026 at 11:22 pm
Well done mayo gaels , better team performances all year round and great potential for the year ahead .
Balla have a jobnon their hands but live to fight again
Tedtoal says:
September 19, 2026 at 7:59 am
More coverage of club championship anyone
yew_tree says:
September 19, 2026 at 10:26 am
Congrats John well done…should be a great read.
toe to hand says:
September 19, 2026 at 11:38 am
Great stuff John. Looking forward to it arriving in the post
Glorydays says:
September 19, 2026 at 9:18 pm
Looking forward to the postman coming with it any day now. We are truly living in great days for Mayo football and indeed all days football
Flying Doc says:
September 20, 2026 at 8:08 pm
At last our story has a final chapter...and we've lived to see it..
But this hopefully will be part 1...! :-D
Nephin says:
September 26, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Book just arrived today. Looking forward to it. Congratulations John. It won’t be as hard reading of the heartache, unlike many other books like House of Pain, because we know that there’s a happy ending. Best of luck with it. Perfect timing.
toe to hand says:
September 26, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Book arrived in the post here as well John. It looks great, looking forward to getting stuck into it.
Paul C says:
September 27, 2026 at 8:33 am
Feck ya, John.
First paragraph and I can feel that now all too familiar welling at the eyes.
Above anything else, the thing that has stuck with me is that cacophony of sound and electricity in the air in our modern day Coliseum as we edged closer. The ferocious comeback in the first half, the goal, the turnovers, the two-pointers and Jack Carney's pass to secure our place in footballing heaven. Those seemed to be the moments where we weren't just in the game, we were taking it by force.
I'm not sure why but the radio commentary (both Midwest and RTE) have become my go-to to relive those moments. It feels like the sound of the crowd comes through so much clearer.
Buzzing to get stuck in to the book now but saw that first paragraph and felt obliged to express my thanks for the book and thanks to any Mayo header I've spoken to over the last few weeks.
Roll on the first round of the league.