Not long after 5pm on Sunday we were all transported en masse, in what surely was the biggest Beam Me Up, Scotty, exercise there has even been, to the place we are from here on destined to inhabit.
That place is the Promised Land.
The thought came into my head at Croke Park in the game’s aftermath that, for supporters of the Mayo football team, the result marks a profound shift in all of our lives. The narrative about Mayo has changed forever and we’re changed with it too.
I think that’s why Andy Moran’s opening words on the stage at the homecoming event in Castlebar on Monday evening struck such a deep chord with so many.
We’ve all had to brush off the repeated jeers and we’ve all had, through gritted teeth, to laugh along with the jokes made at our expense. We’ll not be doing any of that any longer.
Colm Boyle’s words about Mayo now being free of the past also rang true.
The past is the past and cannot be changed but the future is an infinite series of possibilities. A Mayo team unburdened of the task of winning that breakthrough first All-Ireland since 1951 is a team that can now go out and express its talents to the full. Job done? Sure we’re only getting started.
This is the kind of new Mayo with which other counties are going to have to become familiar. We may not be in the hunt for Sam every year from now on but, the years in which we are, then you’ll know we really are.
Clare and its wonderful hurlers provide an excellent template for us. My wife hails from the Banner County and so I’ve had a bird’s eye view of how that county has changed in recent decades and in particular how a breakthrough All-Ireland title altered forever their view of themselves and their expectations about winning on the big day.
The parallels are striking. They too were supposedly cursed – Clare’s version was the Biddy Early Curse – and, when they beat Offaly to capture the Liam McCarthy Cup in 1995, they bridged an 81-year gap to their previous All-Ireland, a wait six years longer than our one back to 1951.
Since then, Clare have captured three further All-Ireland titles. While they’re not always in the hunt every year, any time they’re in the shake-up they expect to go the whole way.
That can be us from now on.
Looking back on this year’s championship, we’re entitled to say with confidence, from our vantage point in the Promised Land, that we knew that this year was different. Of course we did, we could all see it.
That’s not true, of course, but, in this post-truth world we inhabit, what does that matter?
But looked at now in hindsight – which we can now do, until Christmas at least – we can point to so many little details that confirm how different this one really was.
My favourite example of this, which chimes nicely with sentiments about leaving the past behind, is the contrasting way the two counties made decisions in the lead-up to the final that had strong nods to the past.
Our one was a huge call. An all-white strip carried clear echoes back to 1951 and we can all see now how that would have played out had we lost this final as well. Poor old Mayo, can’t blame them for seeking inspiration in the past but how on earth did they think a bloody all-white strip would help them in 2026?
But we still went with it and now that bloody all-white strip is doubly iconic for us. We’re Mayo, we’re wearing white, we’re winning Sam.
Their call was one they didn’t need to make at all and I’m not sure anyone would have noticed had they chosen to ignore it as a factor.
Because of their odd captaincy arrangements, Kerry’s team captain frequently isn’t a first fifteen player. That was the case this year, with Dingle’s Paul Geaney included in the match day 26 but it was always known he wouldn’t start.
That left David Clifford as their on-field captain, with the Fossa club man always sporting the no.13 jersey.
But it’s a lesser-known nugget of GAA folklore that no player wearing the no.13 jersey has ever lifted Sam. Colm Cooper was the most recent Kerry captain to fail in his attempt to do this, back in 2011.
Rather than face down that piseog and name their on-field captain in his customary no.13 position, for this year’s final Kerry opted instead to bow to it, shifting Paudie to 13 and moving David over to 14.
Viewed in retrospect, that now looks like a real signal of weakness, all the more coming from a team with the full weight of history behind them who went into the match as 4/9 favourites to win.
Our willingness to embrace history and see where it took us couldn’t be a starker contrast to such pusillanimity. And we know now where our more enterprising approach took us – all the way to the Promised Land, that’s where.
Thedarkyfinn says:
July 30, 2026 at 11:06 am
1st post since the game with everything being so wonderfully frantic. Brilliant from team and management, they have given us memories of a lifetime. The emotion and support from far and wide has just been unbelievable. The crowd in McHale park I have never seen the likes of it before maybe when the Pope came to Knock - a similar Biblical moment ! I was racing the last 2 days and the amount of people I've known up there over the years coming to me with genuine hearty congrats was great to see. Onwards to Claremorris later today should be great and looking forward to it.
Has anyone got a link to see the full match again ? I had an rte one but it doesnt work now for some reason
Glorydays says:
July 30, 2026 at 12:31 pm
So to misquote Rory Mcilroy what do we talk about now? Im sure there are a few guys up around Toreen and Ballyhaunis dreaming of winning the Liam McCarthy?
FDBinashui says:
July 30, 2026 at 12:48 pm
@Thedarkyfinn - here you go - https://youtu.be/MpP7Hl63SV8?si=z1KnjCY8YP3qi1O6
Anne-Marie says:
July 30, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Glorydays, the three in a row, of course!
Mike says:
July 30, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Havent posted since 2021. That game really pushed me over the line but that is well banished now. Credit to John and all the supporters on this forum that kept that faith all these years and got their just reward.
For anyone interested. Andy did an interview in 2022 with Nathan Moran from OOTB which is on Youtube (before he started with Leitrim). In it, he talks about why Mayo had not produced a Clifford or a Gooch that could get us over the line in AIFs. He mentions that Mayo football coaching did not have a space for individualism, taking a risk on guys with X factor who may have weaknesses but can produce that little bit of magic that makes the difference.
Given what he has done in 2026 with this young panel it was so prescient. He really took risks this year and he deserves every plaudit that comes his way.
Ex-pat says:
July 30, 2026 at 1:27 pm
We have the best team in the country and the best blog in the country. Our cup runneth over!
Glorydays says:
July 30, 2026 at 1:43 pm
Sounds good Ann Marie and theres definetly more in this team. What a time to be alive
Anne-Marie says:
July 30, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Welcome back, Mike! Did you see the clip that Maurice Brosnan posted from the coaching workshop last winter? "Let them make the mistakes" sums it all up.
Mike says:
July 30, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Thanks Anne Marie, :)
Looked at it now. So refreshing and inspirational from Andy. If that's the message from the top you have to think it's good times ahead.
It really is hard to believe that a bit of 6 weeks ago we were dead and buried against Meath. When I look back on this year I'll think of that game and the Mid West commentary most. How different the conversation on Andy would have been if that game had not gone our way. Somehow they dug it out and we have never looked back. What a year!
Swallow Swoops says:
July 30, 2026 at 3:17 pm
We are so lucky with Andy. Good stuff, Anne-Marie - onwards and upwards : ))
It Means Nothing to Me says:
July 30, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Some good analysis on the stats behind our All-Ireland win below.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/07/30/mayo-defied-the-trends-on-goals-and-two-pointers-on-their-way-to-life-the-sam-maguire/
FDBinashui says:
July 30, 2026 at 3:43 pm
@It Means Nothing to Me - thats a very good article, well worth the read!
Blonde 64 says:
July 30, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Any chance of the Sam Maguire coming to the rural clubs. Keep enjoying lads.🥂🍾
Muckle says:
July 30, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Speechless. Hence the lack of comment this week. A great historic occasion for Mayo. A great turning point for our national game. A great day for the respect shown by all, players and fans alike. A great day for all of us on this isalnd of ours who have shown such passion and celebrated with such joy. So proud to be from Mayo. Thank you Andy. Thank you our Mayo warriors.
Windy City says:
July 30, 2026 at 7:30 pm
This is the Mid West commentary overlaid on the match video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjMa-he40VE
to win just once says:
July 30, 2026 at 7:38 pm
First post since All Ireland . Absolutely fantastic. A day of days, the greatest experience ever. Proved the doubters wrong, myself included. So pleased for so many, the wonderful team and management, the players of previous years who put in such a fantastic effort, Mayo people, past and present , in Mayo, Ireland and around the world, the posters on this wonderful blog, who have shown their enthusiasm for Mayo football all through the years, good days and bad. Finally a huge thanks to this forum and WJ for giving us the opportunity to express our views. Genuinely feared I would never see the day. Was at all previous finals, other than the Covid one and was almost afraid to get my hopes up after so many difficult days. Thank you Mayo Football team for this wonderful experience.
Chris says:
July 30, 2026 at 9:03 pm
John, your posts and the podcasts have been vital for the continuation of hope during some bleak times. It's still difficult to realise that we are All Ireland champions. And Andy was right about letting the supporters go a bit mad. Now we can do it and nobody dare call us out. I was two when we won in 1951. What a privilege to live these days. Thanks Andy and all of the team and extended panel and mentors.
diehard says:
July 30, 2026 at 10:49 pm
Like Mike I came away from 2021 utterly dejected, believing that I would never see us win an All Ireland in my lifetime. And I haven't posted since despite having been here from the start.
I was at all our previous finals since 89, except for the covid one , and I had come to hate Croke Park and the whole AI experience. I stayed at home on Sunday! I just couldn't face it again.
But boy the surge of pride and joy I felt when that hooter went was like nothing I had ever experienced in all my 70+ years and likely will never feel again.
Fair play to all the loyal supporters, to Wiile Joe and all on this site, for keeping the flame alive.
There was a mayo gaa blog that i followed way back called thereisalightthatnevergoesout.
Well that light hasn't gone out. It burns now brighter than ever. And I can now live out my days with a gentle glow of satisfaction and contentment.
diehard says:
July 30, 2026 at 10:59 pm
Like Mike I came away from 2021 utterly dejected, believing that I would never see us win an All Ireland in my lifetime. And I haven't posted since despite having been here from the start.
I was at all our previous finals since 89, except for the covid one , and I had come to hate Croke Park and the whole AI experience. I stayed at home on Sunday! I just couldn't face it again.
But boy the surge of pride and joy I felt when that hooter went was like nothing I had ever experienced in all my 70+ years and likely will never feel again.
Fair play to all the loyal supporters, to Wiile Joe and all on this site, for keeping the flame alive.
There was a mayo gaa blog that i followed way back called thereisalightthatnevergoesout.
Well that light hasn't gone out. It burns now brighter than ever. And I can now live out my days with a gentle glow of satisfaction and contentment.
KM79 says:
July 31, 2026 at 12:31 am
What day is it ?
JP says:
July 31, 2026 at 12:52 am
A special note for the utter selflessness of Stephen Coen. I learned tonight that Stephen want to mgmt and said he was injured and not able to play even a sub role. There have been several Mayo players have not done similar in past finals. I salute you Stephen Coen you're a man of great character.
Dave Johnston says:
July 31, 2026 at 5:37 am
Fair play to Coen. Never a man for the limelight. A selfless servant to Mayo. Great crowd in Ballagh last night. Even the local die hard Rossies saying it was a great day for the parish and Rossies. And a few saying that only for the result against them, and the awakening it gave us, thered be no All Ireland. Oh Well😂
yew_tree says:
July 31, 2026 at 7:20 am
Stephen Coen is probably Mayo’s most decorated player ever. All Ireland winning minor and u21 captain and sigerson winning captain and now all Ireland senior winner. A leader.
Supermac says:
July 31, 2026 at 8:26 am
Good call JP.
Its no coincidence he is Mayos most decorated player. Coen is a selfless leader of men. Hes not flashy and wont win allstars but there's a good reason every single manager leans on him in the end.
Undoubtedly a future Mayo manager too
Revellino says:
July 31, 2026 at 9:13 am
My neighbour told me last week he would be driving to Mayo last Sunday to watch the match. A born and bred Galway man.
I asked him why ?
He told me he has been driving to Mayo and watching our All Ireland finals, in Mayo, because he wanted to be on Mayo soil if we ever won the final. Many many All Ireland final trips he has made to Mayo, in his hope that we would someday do it.
On Sunday last he was in O'Malley's in Cross for the historic win. He said it was brilliant.
He then told me that he was travelling to Castlebar on Monday to see Sam coming home.
The two of us travelled together and were on the pitch at 3.45pm and soaked up the atmosphere for the great occasion.
On Wednesday I was in Foxford to see the two McHale's carry Sam across the bridge.
I was in Crossmolina to see Kobe, Conor and Jordan carry Sam out in their own club.
I was in Bellmullet to see Ryan get the adulation that he so deservedly received. I think I eventually left Bellmullet at around 3.30am after a brilliant day and night.
I got to roar for and applaud the team and management all over the County.
I got my hands on Sam in Foxford and I got to shake Andy's hand and several of the players.
I have watched the game in full again and will be doing so again this evening.
My dreams (because I dreamed of it happening so often), have come through.
I finally believe and realise that, yes we did beat Kerry in the All Ireland final.
My 26-MO-SAM plate is in the sitting room on the bookshelf as a reminder that the dream has come through. What a week and what a County.
JP says:
July 31, 2026 at 9:23 am
Unusually I thought I'd be sad for those who didn't get to see it who passed on. I think of a neighbour who was obsessed. But I was simply shocked and happy. It was happy for all that crowd and county. The entire journey and everyone involved. My mind was a blank. I was looking at Mayo players celebrating, it's done, we've won, we all made it happen past and present. We all experienced the journey past and present. I was just happy and content to observe it all and soak ut in. I hugged every group I passed known and unknown. I am definitely not a hugger. Hugged more people I didn't know the name of but we were not strangers. I met that neighbours nephew. JP jumped onboard his ample frame, he could take the 15 stone :) The most common word I've heard from people is contentment. We drove down in a joyful bliss.
JP says:
July 31, 2026 at 9:37 am
Actually the losses used make me sad in a way of these losses are denying good people the chance to experience it.
Moy2Pointer says:
July 31, 2026 at 10:12 am
Every morning I wake up with a massive smile on my face and keep it on me all day. Life is really good at the moment, long may it last.
JP says:
July 31, 2026 at 10:15 am
I ordered a dinner the other evening. What came out was pretty shocking. I ate it, smile on me face and it tasted grand.
Nephin says:
July 31, 2026 at 10:40 am
Yew_tree.
Conor Loftus has , minor, U21, senior and club intermediate All Ireland titles. I don’t know how his club medal matches up to Stephen’s Sigerson but it’s still a massive achievement.
Ever the optimist says:
July 31, 2026 at 11:02 am
I've met people from all over this last couple of days; Massachusetts, Copenhagen and Cork, all of them on a golf course in one of my favourite necks of the wood -ballyliffin, co Donegal. Two of those aforementioned places wouldn't know the first thing about football, Irish style (Massachusetts woman never heard of Donegal Boston etc)- but all concurred it seemed to be like a world cup winning homecoming from what they'd witnessed on the TV. I should really pack away the far-too-tight 2014 jersey and just accept my lot, but eff that and keep the Mayo moobs on display regardless.
Jr says:
July 31, 2026 at 11:57 am
SMALL MARGINS:When Dylan Casey was turned over and did not release the ball giving a easy free to Ryan,Cian O Neill had a Kerry back on the side line giving him instructions.
That effectively gave us an extra man
What oxygen we got from that score.
Pebblesmeller says:
July 31, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Revellino, that's class.
Cathal Lynch LM says:
July 31, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Go, John - after many tough days, a glorious breakthrough, MO Abú 🏐
John Gunnigan says:
July 31, 2026 at 10:24 pm
Thanks, Cathal! Forty years have now passed since you’d have heard my warblings about Mayo being real contenders for Sam. It took a bit longer than I thought then but it’s so good to have seen them finally do it and in such style too.
Sinead37 says:
July 31, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Love it Revellino! Bringing tears to my eyes again!! I don’t have my car at the minute but I said the other day if I did I would have followed the team on tour everywhere!! I got to Castlebar on Monday and Crossmolina on Wednesday. That kept me happy enough. Back in the normal world of Kildare now since yesterday and I just want to be back in Mayo. It’s so boring and untinted in green and red.