Listening to Barry Cullinane, it’s only a matter of turning up for Galway. Such confidence.

@Mayo man in meath if he thinks they only have to turn up I hope they let their guard down cause Armagh will put up a hell of a fight and their supporters are like an extra man or two for them to Armagh are probably underdogs by the sounds of things and Armagh will absolutely love that.

We have a steely confidence, but in no way are we overconfident. We have confidence in our defence, transition play, our physicality in the middle third (McDaid, Conroy, Maher, Tierney and D'Arcy), and our scorers, and very importantly our bench.

The atmosphere in Tuam is off the scale. My son and I will be travelling on Burkes bus to the game. Brilliant that Iarnrod Eireann have put on extra trains. There will also be two large screens set up in Eyre square and Pearse stadium for those not lucky enough to get to the match. As Marty would say "Holy Moley!"

Galway will expect to win this one and on form perhaps justifiably so beating the Leinster champions, Ulster champions and ourselves along the way. Don't see if going any other way.

Talking to two Galway people over the last week - their confidence is sky high - over confidence I would say. Joyce would want to be careful this over confidence doesn't get through to the players.

Surely Joyce has been round the block enough now to dampen down any over confidence or hype, Galway are favourites for me but if they go into that game with anything less then full focus Armagh will do them. Would be echoes of the 2021 final where Mayo were most peoples favourites and only Tyrone turned up on the day

There has been v little between the sides In recent years and Armagh will be like men possessed because this chance may never come round for them again.

I do think Galway are the better side with a better spread of matchwinners but anything less than 5th gear and they will be caught. Looking over armaghs record in the last 3 years they have actually been quietly excellent,any of the championship games they have lost in that time have been on penalties or aet. They are no mugs and are there on merit

Galways to lose, and I think they'll have 3 or 4 points to spare over Armagh at the final whistle. They have been steadily getting better with each game and getting a fitter and healthier squad too. The experience of the final a couple of years ago will stand to them and, to be fair, they've been the most consistent team in the championship this year.
Galway are nothing if not confident, they've always been that way, even in times when they've been poor and non competitive. It's good to see the team getting support because the Galway supporters are flaky enough in terms of numbers that actually turn up. They've been regularly out-numbered in the stands over the years but Joyce has built a team that battles and never gives in, and has forwards that are allowed to play as forwards and not as wing backs, and that's something supporters can get behind. I suppose, no more than ourselves, there will be thousands of "fair weather" supporters coming out of the woodwork getting their hands on tickets when they haven't been seen all year but sadly that's the way GAA HQ want it.
We're in for a long Winter of burying our heads under the duvet covers because we will have to listen to our neighbours gleefully celebrating. But that's our own fault, the fault of the county board, the fault of the players and, as Horan said on his Midwest radio "State of the Nation" address, the fault of the supporters too! We had our chances, countless at this stage, but we found new ways to lose each time so good enough for us. I just hope the Mayo players will be hurting more than many of the Mayo supporters will be on Sunday evening as we watch Galway deservedly lift Sam and bring it West.

Not to depress everyone Mayo will have been in 8 all Ireland finals in the past 20 years (almost every 2nd year) and no title. Galway will have been in 2.

Will ye at least wait until Sunday evening b4 crowning Galway. They've won nothing yet other than a few here who wants to lick joyces shoes (i want to use another word but want to respect the blog). If they win ye can say ye were confident all along but until then give armagh the respect they deserve. Remember other than penalties they haven't lost a championship game this year.

There is an air of confidence about Galway & I think they are deservedly slight favourites. They've played each other a lot over the last few years & there's been nothing in it (despite how superior Galway have supposedly been). So I just don't agree with this notion that Galway are that far ahead of them.

Galway are a bloody hard team to beat. But so are Armagh.

As Pebbles says, if our players & management aren't seething with this, then may as well give up trying. To have not won at least 1 All Ireland from all the chances we've had is an absolute joke. We got exactly what we deserved...nothing. Unless we address why we've lost them all & what is holding us back & fix it, then forget about it. If Galway win it, fair play to them. But if we can't use it as a root in the hole, then what's the point.

I totally agree, No doubt.
Armagh can win this game and I’ve been feeling they will (by 3 is my prediction).
I’m neutral about this game and probably can be swayed one way or another while watching the game itself.
Armagh know how to come up with a gameplan to deal with opposition. If they tailor their game for the team on front of them, they can cause problems to Galway.
They most certainly are not mugs, as a poster above reminded us.
Lastly, Galway are heavily reliant on their defence. If any problems arise there or they don’t establish dominance there for the entire game, I think they can look a bit more ordinary.
I’m genuinely happy to hear about the excitement of the build-up in Galway, the colour and giddiness in Tuam and travel plans of supporters. That’s what it’s all about. Enjoy to the max!
I’m also reminded of Shane Walsh’s incredible performance in the final a few years ago. And McDaid’s too. Walsh will be feeling confident and rightly so.

Thanks for that In Exile. I nearly choked on my sandwich there!! I'd say the curse is surely with us today. The bus driver or nutritionist must still be walking amongst us.

For my money Galway aren't playing as well as in 22. Defensively much the same but I don't feel that they linking up in attack as well.

Put bluntly I wouldn't back either team to win an All Ireland - Galway are giving up too many chances at the death, and from a Mayo POV that always catches up on you before the end. Whereas Armagh don't have the marquee forwards.

Tentative backing for Armagh, mainly because Galway got through the premlim, quarter & semi finals without a major f**k up. I am surprised they went 3 games without one and I would be shocked if they can go 4.

Hopefully one of the two teams go and out and show undisputedly that they are best team in the country. It will be hugely frustrating if it's decided by the kind of silly mistakes we have shown over the years.

@Pullhard sorry about the sandwich. When a logical explanation is too hard to find its handy to be able to fall back on the curse.

As with every Galway game this year and recent years I am very cautious..
Armagh are favourites in the eyes of many people in the media, Peter Canavan, Philly Mac Mahon to name two..
If we win brilliant..
If we don't so be it....

Galway probably won't have it all their own way for the whole game, but I do think they'll be on top when it matters and might clinch it by two or three in the end. Don't see it being as much of a cracker as the hurling final.

The thing I have noticed about Galway is despite some brief experimentation at the early stages of Padraig Joyce's reign, Kevin Walsh's defensive approach is still a key element of Galway's play. That approach was very successful against Mayo and Galway went back to it this year. Walsh deserves more credit than he gets as Galway's play today is essentially Kevin Walsh with fast transition to a few key scoring forwards like Comer, Walsh, Finnerty etc.

After the hurling final, both teams are under a certain pressure to produce the mother of all football finals and they are well capable of doing so.
I just hope Galway don't fall into a complacent trap,having done the hard work of sending the Dubs packing their bags for a sun holiday
On the basis of the semifinals my favorites to win would be Armagh and I'm hoping I'm wrong, that the second cup comes west of the Shannon.
I just think there is question mark over a few Galway players re levels of fitness. Can they win without key players being 100%? Maybe They have the subs to get them over the line.
Pádraic Joyce will have them well grounded, it will be a classic.

Finals are for winning. No point losing a classic (of which we are experts in). I’d agree with the general consensus that Galway are slight favourites. I was in Galway today and they were discussing the homecoming…I’ve no problem with that. We’ve all done it. Supporters are allowed to go daft. The only problem I have is when other counties have mocked and snarled as us for “getting carried away”’when they do it themselves.

Have to say I’m sick with envy. More so driving through Galway today and thinking about all the finals we screwed up.

I’m gutted if I’m honest , bitter to the bone , spittin feathers etc etc . I will purposely not watch the game live on Sunday , I’ll walk along the local beach and just forget about it . I just can’t bare the thought of Galway winning Sam , I wouldn’t care as much if all them lads of 13-17 vintage had picked up one . Yeah so that’s the way I feel haha, my siblings often describe me as lacking emotional intelligence, I prefer to call it heart on the sleeve honesty , I don’t like Galway , sin e .

Yea definitely if we had one in those years then Galway winning now wouldn’t bother me in the least.unfortunately I just can’t see Galway losing this

If we lose I'd say the blog will be extremely busy here on Sunday evening, whereas if we win maybe not so much...

I also will not be watching it as others have said if we had won at least one of our vintage finals or any of them it wouldn't bother me as much as it is right now but I just hope to god Armagh do it but can't see it I'd say Galway by one or 2 and it'll be a long winter.

@Sean burke and clare. We have to put the past behind and focus on 2025 now. If aido and cillian stay on and with paddy back we have a good chance of taking Sam next year. It should be a good and close final and could go anyway I fancy galway by 4 points.

I don’t think not watching the game will change the result, but I understand why people may wish to avoid it. Times have really changed. I remember Mayo v Dublin replay in 1985. There was a Galway team (junior I think) playing before us and they got incredible support from Mayo fans and acknowledged it after the game. If memory serves me correctly Galway hurling minors were playing a replay of their final the day we played Meath in replay in 1996. Again great support from Mayo fans. I remember being in Croke Park in 1998 and really shouting for Galway and being pleased when they won and the following year when we beat them in Tuam, so many Galway supporters parting words were “go and win it now”. BUT all our subsequent defeats have hurt us and given great glee to a changing Galway support base. While some Galway people would genuinely like to see us win, an ever increasing group of them take great pleasure at our never ending misfortune. We as a county have no doubt been damaged by our terrible record in finals so it’s only natural that many would now see a Galway win as really rubbing salt into our wounds. And it’s not just younger supporters. In 2022 I had to read about a not so young lady expressing her desire to cross over the border to really stick it to us when Galway won. They didn’t. So on Sunday I will watch the match. I’d say I will be relatively indifferent as to who will win. Part of me will want to see a fellow Connacht team win but also part of me will be a bit miffed if the win and allow ammunition to their new found support base to use it as a stick to beat us. And then we will have to listen to some Mayo ‘fans’ also use it as a stick with which to beat our players and management and that is something I don’t particularly like either. So when I weigh it all up I just might be hoping that Mr Maguire might be heading for the orchard this autumn.

I would have tipped Armagh to edge it until Mr Canavan threw in his Tuppence worth. There's something about them this time though that tells me they're going to win.

Galway will win by 5/6, in their group game they were the better team but gifted Armagh 1-1 to let them back into it. Galway appear to be performing better over the 70 plus minutes than Armagh are in games to. Don't see either manager pulling any rabbits from hat for this one, it'll just be down to which one has the better execution of the 'defend deep and hit on the brake' on the day. On all evidence its Galway comfortable enough...

I'm sure plenty have seen the tweet going around that if Galway lose they will be equal with mayo on 15 all ireland losses. I suppose it's the fact mayo lost so many so close together that it looks worse tho Galway did lose finals in 1970,1971 and 1973.

@seanBurke and @clare.ye might aswell watch the game. The worst that can happen is Galway win but on the other hand ye might get to enjoy them struggling and armagh celebrating.

71,72,74 correction (google)

The 1925 All Ireland final is one that not many will be familiar with. It was my Grandad who told me about it years ago. Mayo & Galway never played Connacht final, but Mayo were nominated to represent Connaught. Mayo defeated Wexford in Semi, and Kerry beat Cavan..but Kerry & Cavan were disqualified for playing illegal players. Mayo declared champions.

Following this, Galway defeated Mayo in Connacht Final & were declared All Ireland champions. Following protests from teams including Mayo, GAA decided that the 4 provincial winners go forward to play for Sam. Kerry withdrew, as the GAA ordered they play Cavan, even though they already beaten Cavan & felt that victory should stand. Galway beat Cavan in final.

So it's Mayo 4, Galway 8 in my eyes

Yeah but they had three in row done in mid sixties previous to them losses in 70s . There is no use comparing any other counties losses cause 89/96/97/04/06/12/13/16/17/20 & 21 without a win is a ratio unrivalled.

Sean I’m same as you, but where do I go…go for a walk on the prom?? I’ll be able to hear the roars from Pearse Stadium from my house on Monday night. I might hit a few golf balls Sunday afternoon…the course in Salthill will be empty.

@To win just once, that’s a brilliant post that sums things up perfectly. Most of the WhatsApp groups I’m on are 90% Galway (cos I live here most my life) and I can assure everyone that their glee at Mayo’s misfortune is high. Some of my close friends who are in the Galway bandwagon now…a very large wagon might I add….would like to see Mayo win, for my sake…but the vast majority of people I know are very happy when Mayo lose. Genuinely.

I can't understand people not watching the game. This and the hurling are the sports we love. Even though I've no horse in the race, it's the biggest game and day in the calender of the greatest sport on the planet. I'll be glued to it as a neutral hoping for an amazing game. Once Dublin are not involved,.I don't support or root against any county. Hopefully it's a belter.

@Hill16 it's very hard for some mayo people to watch it I know quite a few who are boycotting it altogether. Sickening tbh but that's the level of rivalry between ourselves and galway if they do win which I think they will I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they brought Sam into mayo just to piss us off. We can have no complaints though we just where not good enough this year and galway took their chances when we didn't but as I said hope to god Armagh do it.

Hill 16, when you’ve walked out of Croker 13 times after a final and lost 11, drawn 2, the grá evaporates, not to mention countless semi finals…you might then appreciate why others will not bother tuning in. The mere fact that so many have kept following and watching Mayo is an achievement in itself, never mind looking at others. When I was younger I’d watch as much championship as I could and the idea of missing a final was alien to me. Now, after so much mental anguish, the last thing I want is to watch the stuff. I want Mayo to win and then maybe, maybe I’ll feel different

Jeez lads. I thought i was bad but Ye're making me feel like a cheerleader. I'll be glued to it pretending I'm half disappointed every time armagh score just for the wife's sake and I'll probably take the walk afterwards and either cry or skip around the field.

I will be watching on Sunday. I will also as I have done all my life be cheering for the Connacht team. Given a choice between wanting to see Sam cross the Shannon or cross the border it is a no brainer. I am a proud Mayo man and also a proud Connacht man.
As to will win on Sunday I believe in a very tight game Galway will shade it.

It will be a tight game. The hope I have comes from the match in Sligo where we were all over Armagh but missed a few simple chances to go 6-7 (very similar to Kerry game with Armagh) up and Gleeson made a mistake and let Armagh back into it but we finished strongly and it ended in a draw. Since then Gleeson has being going long with all kickouts to some success. It remains to be seen if we can get the upper hand again like that but if we do we will have to punish Armagh for as we seen in the Kerry game they will hang in there as they are a great team. Shane and Damien were quiet enough in the semi final and if they click on Sunday we will be in a good place. Its all to play for and the chance is there but the players have to step up and take it.

Leeroy has plumped for a Galway win on Teilifiís website.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/0724/1461539-galway-have-experience-and-nous-to-take-prize/

I think its mad that people cant watch the match on Sunday, its biggest game of the year the show piece and doesn't matter who is in it, you should still look forward to watching it.
I think it shows the obsession a lot of Mayo supporters have with just the Mayo county team, and its not good. the obsession has not helped the county team, its great when things are going well but when the games are nervy the crowd makes it worse. Same with lead up to games, demanding they know the line up and subs and then why a player isn't starting or not the panel, leads to rumours of injuries or fall outs..its been happening for years.

This isn't just having a go at the posters above, its an issue with alot of supporters, that take it too seriously and are obsessed.

Galway should win it Sunday and yes it will be tough to take and Galway fans aren't as gracious as they make themselves out to be, but Mayo have had there chances and its the Mayo players that have played in them finals that will find it the hardest to take but as supporters theres not much you can do. I suppose I never took any interest in the 'oh my club/county beat your club/county that means my club/county is a better place than yours..

I'm probably where Keegan is st, ie acceptance mode.

Given the quality of footballer they have been producing in Galway and an exceptional senior club standard this day was going to come at some stage.

His analogy about the England football team is apt, you hate to see them win it but it will happen at some stage so best rip the plaster off and take our licks. Generally the loudest idiots exist on social media so maybe pulling back from there for a few days wouldn't hurt.

As an aside, was looking at Cian o neills record there, it really is exceptional. He was with us under horan, and with kerry footballers when they won against the head in 2014, as well as with the Tipp hurlers when they won all ireland.

Seeing as in mayo we are obsessed with bringing back all managers and coaches for a few go's we could do worse than knock on his door whenever he leaves the galway ticket

O'Neill would be a change though Supermac. We keep going back to managers/coaches who haven't done it. I can't for the life of me understand how we wouldn't be going all out to bring in someone who has been there & done it!

Hello All,

Long shot here but my unfortunate wife has travelled to a lot of Mayo games with me over the years and although we were lucky enough to attend the semi final and Connacht final. She has been badly let down on two tickets that were promised to her last week and now all of a sudden have been given away.

If anybody would know of any tickets available at all, I would be willing to pay a decent price to ensure she can go to the final with her friend. I couldn't face it myself but would like to try and do this for her if possible.

Thank you all.

That's true mayo focus. In Mayo we keep going back to managers that had failed previously I.e. john o mahoney rip, John maughaun, James Horan, Stephen Rochford, Kevin Mcstay . The only one we did not go back for was the Holmes Connelly double act. That was why I would have preferred Ray Dempsey as our manager

I made a mistake . Yes we went back to Pat Holmes.

John o Mahoney of course had experience of winning all Ireland but I don’t really think he was that interested in coming back at that time although he did introduce alot of the players that James Horan inherited.it’s a strange period this before this all Ireland final.since I first stood at the bacon factory end for the 1981 Connacht semi final between mayo and Galway I have had a serious dislike of that maroon jersey.i remember at the time Galway had won the league and there was alot of Galway lads in mayo working on a sewerage system and they were going on about how they were going to hammer mayo but Willy Nally had different ideas even though he did lose his field of hay

@Jimbo surely John Maughan is due another rattle next time around! With Connelly as his right hand man!

It seems a bit extreme that some people will do a walk on the beach to avoid watching the AI final. The Olympics will be on, and at 3:30 there is a water polo match - Croatia v Montenegro. The archery competition is also being televised at that time.

My God, the defeats since 1989 has really troubled many here, it is what it is.
@Clare, you must have had some bad run-ins with Galway folk over the years.
Many here seem to need a good holiday.
Galway people are ok, particularly the Hurling kind, I lived and hung out with them many years ago.
Galway are lucky in that they are not facing the Dubs or Kerry on Sunday.
The final is there for the taking and hopefully the best team win fairly on the day.

@Bate the blanket well living in Dunmore for about a year a couple of years ago will do that to ya.. Ha I have lots of good Galway mates I don't hate them it's more rivalry. They deserve to be in the final no doubt about it but doesn't mean you have to like it or shout for them just cause it's a connacht team.

I honestly don't get where all this Galway "overconfidence" talk above is coming from.
Meeting a lad or 2 from Galway that ye know who is sure of themselves is in no way a reflection of the general mood here.
Sure two of my best mates are Mayo lads and both of them were cock sure ye would beat Dublin on each occasion ye played them in finals - that's just the way they are. That doesn't mean the while county was!
I have yet to speak to anybody who thinks this is anything other than the definition of a 50-50 game that could go either way.
I change my mind myself every second day when trying to predict it.
Whether we win or we lose on Sunday, overconfidence will not have any part to play in it.
Great to be there anyway as ye know yereselves only too well.

We do tend to reappointment managers but the question is if we give them time?

PJ is in year 5 I believe. Have we ever had a manager serve five seasons in a row?

galwayman of course you’re right. The views of a view or the fella down the road don’t represent the majority. I think what gets up a lot of Mayo fans is the constant jibs and mockery or losing so many football finals. I think most of us (myself included) have been mentality scarred. Anyway good luck to Galway Sunday. I think ye will win it.

John o Mahoney and James Horan both had two spells of 4 years.not sure how long Liam o Neill was there in the 80s

“Galway people are ok “. I certainly didn’t say anything to the contrary. It’s purely football rivalry. If you’re ok with Galway lifting Sam , grand , that’s your business . I’d personally prefer Glasgow rangers or England to win it .

The question needs to be asked why does Galway consistently produce better forwards than us

I dunno a mayo man produced their latest forward star , hup. Tongue n cheek .

@1985

Liam O'Neill 83-87 according to Wikipedia.
This was when the league started before Christmas so I'm not sure if he was there for Championship 83, and I wasn't around to remember. If he was then 5 years, if not 4.

I think it's worth noting, because whoever wins on Sunday the bottom line is that we are too impatient to use their approach. It strikes me as odd that we with no recent all Ireland wins try to win it every year, whereas teams with a recent tradition like Galway, Tyrone and Armagh are happy to spend a decade building a team for one shot.

From the records it seems we had no manager between 1980 and 83 but it looks like Liam o Neill came in after championship in 83 by the way other managers are listed so it seems 4 years is the longest any manager got since 1980

It’s rare to get managers on a long spell these days. It’s very demanding and pressurised job. I’ve heard of some managers taking career breaks while they manage the county team.

I wonder will Joyce go out on a high if they win Sunday? This is his 5th year?

The late John O’Mahony and the late Eugene McGee are the only two 'outside the county managers' ever to win an All-Ireland. So it would seem home grown seems to work best. In my opinion Galway owe as much to Kevin Walsh and to Padraig Joyce as Walsh's handprints are still all over this Galway team. Local rivaly will always be there - Kerry vs Cork, Monaghan vs Cavan, City vs United, Boston Red Sox vs NY Yankees etc. your nearest GAA club etc.

@Frost I hope you're not suggesting we stick with the current setup if we have a continuation of year 1 & 2. It would be bonkers imo. With the players we have, resources & managerial prowess, we need to be challenging simple as.

Horan went of his own accord after both 4 year terms. If he wanted to stay on, I doubt there would have been too many objections

I have to watch the big game on Sunday, I will enjoy every minute because All Irelands take on a life of there own. Some players get very nervous & make rash decisions, poor tackling, passing just a bit off is some of the stuff that happens on All Ireland final day. Both teams will have purple patches but the team that has a good purple patch 4th quater will win, Armagh to win.

I know its a slim chance, but looking for a ticket for the final. Mayo fan. Don't know who I'll be shouting for on Sunday. Maybe the underdog, coming into the last 10 minutes. Main hope is that it is a good game to restore a bit of positivity for the football.

If Galway loose on Sunday they will equal
Mayo on 15 All Ireland losses ,

Let’s look at all the All Ireland winning managers over the past 20 or so years,

John OMahony - Year 1 winner
Mickey Harte - Year 1 winner
Jack O’Connor - Year 1 winner (on all 3 occasions he won in his first year)
Joe Kernan - Year 1 winter
Pat O’Shea - Year 1 winner
Jim Gavin - Year 1 winner
Dessie Farrell - Year 1 winner
Dooher & Lohan - Year 1 winner
Jim McGuinness - Year 2 winner
Eamon Fitzmorris- Year 2 winner
Conor Coughanan - Year 3 winner
Pat Gilroy - Year 3 winner

So between Armagh and Galway on Sunday you can add either “year 5” or “year 10” to the list.

A complete myth that we need to be patient with a manager and give them time. If you don’t see a clear sign of progress then there is an argument for any manager to be out the door after 2 years.

And yes Mayo are disgraceful at re appointing men who have failed in the past, I for one am unfortunately confident that it will be the same with Rochford next year again. History is usually a good guide into the future.

As I said before we had 3 capable candidates in the last “interview” process that were overlooked because no previous inter county experience. Or as Seamus Toughy said “just didn’t have that extra bit”. I think we are still all dying to see what that extra bit is. Because from what I can see, it’s not an instant impact, which seems to be what all those above managers had in common.

@sean 68 mad isn't it but will they be called bottlers if they loose Sunday like we are constantly doubt it. But probably because our losses are so close together and recent is well.

Interesting stat there Green and Red, which is very much at odds with what’s going to happen on Sunday. Lots of those teams were top class which obviously gives the new manager a great advantage and then you add in the bounce that comes from a new manager and chances are improved. For example it was well known that Tyrone were seriously on the up when Micky took over, Jack o Connor always had top class players at his disposal and Jim Gavin was blessed with the greatest team in the history of the GAA. In contrast when Horan came in in 2011 he inherited a team that had lost to Longford and Sligo the previous year. Going back further Eugene McGee progressed by one game each year with Offaly, champions in 82, runners up 81, Leinster champions 80, Leinster runners up 79.. There is no right way of doing things but a county like Mayo who haven’t won it since 51 can hardly sack a manager just because we don’t win. It’s easy to say Johnno, Maughan, Horan, Rochford etc were failures but in a county which has not tasted success in 73 years then getting to a final can hardly be classed as a failure. Every year one manager wins the AI. Does that mean the remaining 31 all failed and if they “fail” again the following year should they be sacked.

Yew tree.. Pj is in year 2 of his second three year term..
I can't see him going anywhere..
Cian o Neill will step away after Sunday I believe..

@Clare , Kerry have 24 losses in finals and nobody ever calls them bottlers. Unfortunately win or lose Sunday Galway will still be third in the roll of honour on 9 or 10 and we'll still be well down it on 3. That's the fact that needs to change to stop that term sticking

I'll watch and the final on Sunday and I'm expecting Galway to win. Won't be easy to watch Galway lift Sam in the Hogan Stand after watching Mayo not take any of their opportunities in 2012,2013,2016,2017,2020 and 2021. Probably won't sink in for me that Galway has won it until they walk across the Shannon in Athlone whatever day they return to the west.

I more than detect a fear of Galway winning (sure we Mayo are going to suffer some jibes) if that happens. We are big enough to deal with it..No earthly power can make us (Mayo,) even lose the 2024 All Ireland final. Those borders in our minds especially in South Mayo and probably even more so in North Galway are only in your minds. The English who despised us all invinted those borders to divide us and steal our lands, enslave us , and starve us , decided where the county borders would be .. The Province of Connacht is a Gaelic construct.. I hate Galway or Roscommon or Sligo or Leitrim beating Mayo on the day it happened.. after that I support our Neighbours ..Come on Galway on Sunday.

@MayoFocus
Who would you appoint as next Mayo Manager if you had the power to .
WJ .... will you be doing a poll to see who people would like to win the All Ireland.

Don't think Sunday's final will be closer than four points to be honest. Galway are much the better team and have way more strength in depth.
On the rivalry, was at an All-Ireland final in 16. Went in early to support Galway against Kerry in the minors. Kerry won easily with a younger David Clifford to the fore.
Huge amount of Mayo people cheering on Galway. Our game then started against Dublin and I was gobsmacked when almost every Galway fan around us were cheering Dublin scores. I'd been going to matches an awful long time but that nailed it for me. Never wanted Galway to win after that. They'll win Sunday and fair play to them for doing so - they're the best team in the country. I'll be avoiding all TV and newspapers next week, however!

Can't see Galway losing this one. Walsh was on fire for their last final. They have lots of other scoring options and plenty of experience. Expect a door game with Sam heading west!

If we changed manager tomorrow will they be in a better position than when McStay joined ? i.e. is the panel available better now than then ?.

Also for any new manager taking over any of the bigger counties there are certain structures and processes already in place. For example and this is only IMO for the last 5/6 years in Mayo we have seen a certain style of play develop that has encouraged the lateral keep ball stuff (the 3 yr U20 spell to '22 showing the worst of it). This tells me we have structural problems that need to be sorted to give any manager a better chance of success. What we do on the under age and development panels needs to change or some sort of reset needed particularly U20 and the senior development panel. I have no idea how these are set up so its difficult to say what exactly is needed but based on the last 5/6 years of U20 style and performance some surgery is needed...

A lot of people in Mayo have Armagh blood in them
In 1671 a massive amount of refugees from Crossmaglen had to flee because of some barney with Scottish Weavers,Most of them settled around Cloonfad,Irishtown,Garrafauns area the poorest land in the Country .it was no surprise that their grandchildren later started the land league and capt boycott had previously had a estate in logboy
Family names McGuires McWalters and Gills are all from XMG .

@My Ball I have no idea. I like McStay & would give him another year if it were up to me. But with a big change in the backroom team. And I mean big. Strip it way back & go all out to add someone who has been involved in All Ireland winning sides as a player or manager or both (& possibly recently given the modern game is a lot different). Fitzmaurice, McConville, Gilroy, someone like that. If we just go into next season with the same setup, I would be surprised to see much of a difference to be honest

I don't hate Galway.
I just don't want them to win on Sunday.
I only ever want Mayo to win the All-Ireland.
It's as simple as that.

I'm a broken record on it but the 2 finalists have confirmed once and for all that it is now a 20 man game, you can forget about it unless you have a strong set of finishers.

Look at the respective benches:

Armagh can call ok Duffy, Campbell, Oisin o neill, mccabe, mcquillan, nugent, jarlath og burns. All guaranteeing an impact and huge experience

On the galway side you have the likes of John Daly (allstar 22), Kieran molloy (allstar nom 22), Sean Kelly (!), o flaherty, Heaney.

Those are serious benches, everyone listed there could have an impact. When is the last time you could ever say that about a Mayo bench?
Mayo fans, especially on here, lose our minds when a starting team is named and if any the 'star' players aren't starting, we really need to ditch that mindset as a county

Huge expectation for a Galway win here. I think Galway have a better all round team but anything can happen on the day. Galway got a complete fluke of a goal two weeks ago which made a big difference on the scoreboard. Armagh will test the Galway goalkeeper - if they dont I will be surprised and that could well be the winning of the game.

For Sunday I've decided to face my fears and actually meet the inevitable abuse head on, will join a mix of buddies (including some tribesmen) in at drumcondra for the pre match pints, may even tip into the game itself if a ticket came up.

I do think Galway will win unfortunately so have decided to just front up and take my licks, we can't hide ourselves away for ever unfortunately

It works both ways though, if they lose, I won't be sparing them ;-) . All part of the rivalry

Another new pod up - in this one Mike reports back on discussions at this week's County Board meeting and he also chats separately with Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty.

@Supermac I couldn't agree more on use of the bench. The Dubs spent a decade doing it to us & we've never grasped it.
I for one, would be delighted to see a few horses held in reserve - we held a few back against Kerry last year & it worked a treat. Can't understand why we don't do it more often

@Mayonaze I do get it's not great losing them finals. But are we not all football fans. I am as the name suggest a Dub fan ( don't hold it against me haha ) but first I'm a Football and Hurling fan. Would I love us to be in the final this year, obviously yes. But for the greater good of our game I think it's better ourselves and Kerry aren't there. There are counties there that would love to have had even one of the days out you guys have had since 1989.
@Clare I also get about the rivalry. But we have had that with Kerry and Meath. I think sometimes in Mayo, you worry too much about what other people are saying, or what's going on in other counties. I don't mean any offence by that, sure we know in Dublin that most of the country massively dislike us. We genuinely don't care. We embrace it. From a personal point of view once Dublin get knocked out, I don't care who wins it, even if it's rivals, once it's a good championship and it betters the game.

Why can’t people just accept the way others think , stop forcing a narrative, it’s pure manure to suggest there is no bad blood between ourselves and Galway , if you want to tart that up to suit a pc storyline of respectful neighbours good luck to ya . I speak for myself and a few more belonging to me and I have every right as a dedicated mayo supporter, fook Galway and up Armagh .

@Hill16 fair enough!

I know most dubs don't care who wins finals even their closest rivals but tbh you've countless all Irelands celtic crosses in your back pocket. So why would ye care who wins it.

For us in mayo it's a very bitter pill to swallow to see Galway lift Sam.. As I said even if we had one of our finals it wouldn't bother me as much but it's really hard to take hence why I will not be watching it.

I don’t want to see Galway winning either, but its a done deal i’m afraid. They are blessed with luck in terms of final opponents. More times than not they avoid a powehouse, Kildare 98 was a dream draw to end the long wait.

Tradition matters in finals, and coming up against a full group of players contesting their first final is ideal for this Galway team. Galway have experience from ‘22 and crucially Sean Hurson owes them big time from that Kerry free. If there’s a game defining 50/50 ref decision needed to be made late in the game, Galway will get it - fact.

Agree with posters who would rather not watch it, theirs no law saying you have to watch the final. Do what suits, stay away from fb, twitter and RTE…far more important things in life to be doing.

The only chance Armagh have is if the mystic meg of this site, Corack Bridge comes on and predicts Galway to win easily by 6 points. Come on Corack help your County and us irrelevant Rossies :)

I don’t mean this to be bad - OK maybe a little - but I would genuinely roar laughing if Armagh won and 99% of the posters here these last two weeks would have to backpedal on their certainty of Galway’s hands already being on Sam.
It’s just set up for an Armagh win.
I’m not saying it’s a sure thing but it’s more than possible.
This is what bit us in the backside in 2021, remember.

@swallow swoops 100% though I am one who thinks Galway will do it but I would laugh tbh to.. It has a bit of De Ja vu about 2021 for sure doesn't it? We definetly let our guard down and didn't show up as usual.

It would be hilarious if galway went and lost to. . But to be honest just can't see past Galway as much as I'd love to see them beaten out the gate.

I'm at a loss to know how Armagh are not being given a hope in a one-off game. Seriously, people need to recalibrate and roll in their necks on this matter... Armagh are a seriously well drilled outfit. They're be nothing in it at the final whistle. Genuine Galway fans know this.

This is a novice pairing for a final , Galway have that one experience in 22 to hone in on . A lot will come down to how the players take to the occasion , individualism in them clutch moments takes big balls on AIF day . Shane Walsh has done it before in 22 but nobody can say Rian o neill won’t do it in 24 . It’s a very hard game to call imo . Armagh impressed v Kerry but were Kerry their best in the second half , Clifford was quiet by his standards but again are we ignoring how Armagh nullified his influence .
Gun to my head id go with Galway but I’m not parting with money on either . They are just so solid at the back , their tactical plan to barely give any team goal chances is incredible.

I'd back a 70 minute draw if I was parting with my hard earned cash.

@ShaunBurke, that accepting of what others think goes both ways though. You meet some younger fans and they're incredulous that you might support connacht counties and you have to explain yourself. This is after countless Mayo people live or have lived, went to college in, married into, or played football in Galway. But it's wrong to wish these same people you lived with daily well?

Each to their own of course. But this attitude is new. Those talking about laughing at the others defeat, you're changing this rivalry from the way it uses to be. And that's fine, just as long as you know it used to be different and you don't speak for my generation. Some of the Mayo banter fan pages you'd see crop up thinking they're speaking for us all would drive you mad

Don’t actually think it would be “hilarious” if Galway lose. Hope we are bigger than that. Hopefully Armagh win and I will extend my sympathies to the genuinely sound Galway bloggers on this site. If Galway win I will extend my congratulations. I don’t really like this taking joy at other teams losses. It’s something I detest when I see the unbridled glee of key board warriors from other counties when we lose . Obviously when Mayo are not involved and I watch a final I usually want one team to win but will not take joy at the losers suffering. On this occasion I would like Armagh to win. No more than that

@to win just once bad choice of words there hilarious was bad on my part. As I said Galway 100% deserve to be in the final and fair play to them but they did laugh at us and take great joy when we lost every single final we were win there's no doubt about it that they did.

@stephenite
There's bad blood as others have said between ourselves and galway when it comes to the gaa and you can't deny it and hasn't sprung up out of no where either.. Saw an article Fri when gakway won in 1998 and the whole pub apparently burst into song saying sing feck mayo and we are shite so to say this rivalry is only new well it's always been there. If you want to shout for galway then fair play but don't make others feel bad for not wanting to see our nearest rivals lift Sam.

100 percent Stephenite , I have a sister married to a Galway daft GAA man , they will both be flying in from the UK this weekend and at the game hoping for a Galway win , I can’t understand it but it’s not personal , that’s her way of thanking him for spending a fortune flying back for Mayo games haha . I’m extreme in this context I agree but that’s how I feel and I wont be meeting up with them this weekend . Up Armagh .

If Galway win the All Ireland football final they will help out reopening the Western Rail Corridor Galway to Sligo, Clifden & Loughrea railway lines too as well as extra trains running reopening of the Athlone to Mullingar railway line for the match in Croke Park. If Galway are All Ireland champions the Sam Maguire cup will go for spins on Athlone to Mullingar railway line, Western Rail Corridor Galway to Sligo, Clifden & Loughrea railway lines as well as New York for the opening game of 2025 Connacht football championship. In 2025 Connacht football championship Roscommon vs London in England & Galway vs New York in the Big Apple. Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim will be unknown until draws are made in late October or early November. The Leinster football championship will be redrawn as other teams then Dublin are overdue a Leinster football title. Munster football championship only Kerry will be a bye to Munster semi-finals the other 5 teams will go into a open draw. If Team C Connacht Quarter-final is a Mayo vs Sligo match in Castlebar, If Mayo vs Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon or Sligo vs Leitrim in Sligo in 2025. In 2026 will be Mayo's year for England to host London in the Connacht football championship same year that Roscommon are playing against New York.

Was not having a go Clare. You’re entitled to use whatever words you choose.

To all Mayo supporters who say they will be sick if Galway win this one , suck it up is what I say I hope Galway go and do it and show us and other western counties it can be won , it’s not impossible and all the rubbish spoken about hard luck and curses in the past just need to be buried and we go ahead and win it next year.

Galway didn't laugh at us Clare. Maybe your Galway mates did, but don't paint Galway with the same brush. The majority of Galway GAA supporters are every bit as honest as a good mayoman. It's not there fault that they have strengths that we don't. Over all the years, we haven't been able to finish the job, we haven't produced leaders or free scoring forwards. A Galway win now might batter the message home to Mayo that we have to do better, if we want to take the ultimate prize. A Galway win might just do us good,
Delighted to see Kelly named on starting line up, nobody deserves a day in the sun more.
I still think Armagh will put them to the pin of their collar. It's certainly a game I wouldn't miss for all the tea in China

Tommy+Joe says:
July 26, 2024 at 8:33 am
Don’t think Sunday’s final will be closer than four points to be honest. Galway are much the better team and have way more strength in depth.

-----------------
Not sure about way more strength in depth when Armagh have the likes of Stefan Campbell, Oisin O'Neill, Ross McQuillan,Jason Duffy, Jarly Óg Burns etc to call on. Last three matches in 70 minutes between the two in the last three years was two draws and win for Armagh so will be surprise if Galway win by more than point or two and will likely need Walsh or Comer in top form in order to win (Both playing well at the same time is rare)

I think a lot of posters here were maybe accepting fate if Galway win but I don't see where everyone is expecting us to win..
Armagh are favourites in many pundits eyes..
Paul Flynn on Rte has tipped them today..
All ulster counties are backing them...
It's a 50 / 50 game..
Clare and Co ye may get your chance to laugh away.. whatever floats your boat..
This game is so wide open ..
Everyone talking about Armaghs bench etc..

By the way lovely to see the Galway flags on the castlebar side of Claremorris today...

Mark Dempsey...
Armagh are favourites and been tipped in many pundits eyes, plus all Northern counties are backing them including their fiercest rivals Tyrone..
As stated Peter Canavan , Philly mc Mahon, Niall Morgan, Paul Flynn are all tipping them...

I agree Tuamstar. It will go down to the wire. Impossible to call, but hopefully Sam's in ballybrit come Monday Evening

When you put it like that, Ontheditch, it is nice to think of Sam maybe residing in the west this winter instead of all the years he spent hibernating in the capital. Western air might change him completely.

Hill16, thanks for these words, which are actually quite comforting and empowering for where we are now and want to be:

“… I think sometimes in Mayo, you worry too much about what other people are saying, or what’s going on in other counties. I don’t mean any offence by that, sure we know in Dublin that most of the country massively dislike us. We genuinely don’t care. We embrace it….”

Maybe we just need to worry about ourselves and let that take care of itself. It’s the only thing we can control and we can believe in ourselves and the journey we are on with this team. We want to get somewhere and we must concentrate on the road ahead, being motivated by that. The rest is past or outside.

@ Swallow swoops, maybe 'Mayo For Sam' will be in the winners enclosure next week.

On the ditch , ya may get yourself to Tuam Monday evening and throw on a maroon and white jersey while you’re at it .

Ahh only banterin as they say nowadays. Sleep well hope the match nerves don’t get to ya . Right that’s it I’ll get my coat .

Fairytale stuff for Jarlath burns if he’s to hand Armagh the big cup . His son a big panel player too . I really hope they do it , a wonderful county that’s been through a rough ride during the conflict .
Galway probably do have a better shape to them and are rightly favs but do they have the liathróidí , I think Armagh might have braver men in that sphere , time will tell .

I'm with @seanBurke there's no circumstance i want to see Galway win even though my Galway wife will be sitting beside me. I'll definitely watch it no question about that and maybe you can go climb the reek sean seeing as it is reek Sunday. Look there's nothing wrong with not wanting to see them win so don't be judging anyone with that view. I have great Galway friends and acquaintances but boy can they be irritating with digs and jokes at our expense at the 1st mention of mayo football or all irelands and how Galway know how to win finals and bla bla bla bla bla bla and mayo lost again. Please don't say we have to listen to it until we win because that doesn't make it any better so save yourself the texting time.

LOL, Ontheditch. That might be a good sign on the road ahead, Mayo for Sam in the winner’s enclosure with ribbons around his ears.
When the swallows return next Spring maybe we might have a champion Mayo team on our hands.

I’d love to get a psychologists view on what’s been typed into the comment section of the mayo blog as regards how we feel about Sunday , a look into the psyche of the Mayo GAA supporters mindset . You can’t help but feel there is a significant number of us who are …. Well as Spillane once said a bit too nice . Go to a darker place maybe , imagine what it would be like to enjoy them being upset Sunday evening .no t suggesting going to their levels hanging banners out on the road and the likes , just quietly light up a hamlet cigar and smile as Armagh lift it , have a bit of that ya fancy Dan …… .

I know well Sean. We're not too far away ourselves when Callinan, McHugh, Towey can become leaders. No real harm Mayo are watching this game ontheditch, we're still on that learning curve. Had we been able to manage a lead this year might have been different but then again if your aunt had....
Keep the faith, as swallow swoops says it's about where we are now and how we get to where we want to be.
Anyway, Sean, after Sunday, you can concentrate on the ggs. Throw us up and aul banker for Monday evening, get us off to a good start...

@sean Burke 100 well said there your bang on we have been for years known as to nice in general.. would ya get the likes of the dubs cheering on kerry in a final? Fuck no you wouldn't the stuff I hear out of them when kerry are in a final and that's cause they are their biggest rival...

@No doubt agree with you to good post.

My Dub mates couldn't care less who wins once they are out of it themselves. Most of them won't even watch the game. But I'm not making generalisations. That's the selfishness that comes from success. They would have thrown their weight behind us until the Tyrone capitulation. Now we have to earn respect all over again, and until then we are the jokers in the pack. If you can't finish out your games, you're always going to be an easy target.
Keep the faith Clare, the expectations were too great this year, but next year's a different year.
Back on the horse as they say and Mayo for Sam does have an entry on Thursday evening at Ballybrit.
Now wouldn't that beat Bannagher if he won

@Tuamstar can you direct to any bookie that has Armagh favourites? as I would be very tempted to place money on Galway with longer odds than I'm currently getting

Galway leading at half time and winning at full time 9/4

@ob the ditch fully agree with you there thanks will keep the faith as we all will!

We weren't good enough this year and gakway do deserve to be there. It's just a hard one to take tbh

But if galway do win and if it sickens us and our guts so much then that should inspire them to go on and win it next year or at least go far to a final if them seeing galway lift Sam doesn't egg them on next year nothing ever will I'm sure our guys are glad they are still in Chicago away from it all tommorow!