All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Armamike]

It's quite rare to see 2 of your 3 scoring forwards perform so well at that age.  That was one of the big reasons people were tipping Kerry to beat Mayo.  I can't think of too many other teams in the recent past who had two teenagers in the full forward line.

[tiempo]

Work rate to win back possession with relentless high pressing was the foundation.  40 phases of play for Mayo and 28 of these came from Kerry possession.

Tally must have shared the Tyrone 03 DVD with him

[seafoid]

Scoring forwards alleviate pressure on your own defence as ultimately the opposition if they have any sense will at least pay some heed to them

Kerry laughably didn't really price this in, overanxious to bring lads in who were returning from injury to eke another out where the jersey alone would be enough to spook the opposition

And it was nearly enough, Kerry massively misfired on the day yet still had their chances, Mayo couldn't capitalise and had that potential wobble feel to them for a time, at the death you'd still have backed Clifford to score the 2 pointer to force extra time

History is written by the victors and winning justifies any means in high end sport, it was a great final and Mayo fully deserved it after watching a few slip away

Without Kobe they'll not have the same x factor up front next year, but entering the championship as defending champs with a target on your back is a great problem to have

Moran now has the dual distinction of a historic Connacht championship defeat to New York and a historic All-Ireland win on his CV, goes to show how a picture can be distorted by looking at results alone, hope he sticks at it McGeeney style, and Galway and Roscommon come heavy next year, Kerry Dublin and the north will reboot, it feels 90s 00s football again and thats pretty awesome

They will be marked next year so they probably won't make back to back but they should be good enough to win another Sam within 3 or 4 years.

[Iarmhí Abú]

Just catching up now to offer a belated, massive congrats to Mayo.  The relief at the final whistle was immense 😀

I don't think it's hyperbolic to state that this was one of the best days in the history of the GAA.  The entire country briefly stood still.  Everybody was drawn to it.

Life is subtly different for Mayo people too.  I've some Mayo connections and friends, there's a cloud lifted.

It was the perfect end to an unbelievable season.  No disrespect to Kerry, who I greatly admire, but this was fitting.  The range of emotional breakthroughs, unlikely upsets, statement victories, and genuinely thrilling encounters was greater than I can recall in a single season.

Roscommon had a wonderful provincial journey which should focus minds for next year.  Wicklow had their greatest season ever and have the Sam Maguire to prepare for.  Similarly Westmeath had arguably their greatest year.  Mark McHugh has joined Páidí in our pantheon and will hope to build further.  Louth have had a taste of the thin air, they've the tools to return.  Monaghan will know that a few unfortunate injuries spoiled their potential fairytale.  Tyrone will similarly take massive positives when the emotion dissipates.

Kerry, Armagh, Donegal, Galway and Meath will search deep into their souls.  Cork and Down too. Answers may lie there, if they can locate and decipher them.

Mayo should just bask for a while. This team photo will still hang in pubs in 2084.  These men and boys are immortal.  Soak it up.  Andy will get you back out when it's time. 

Football is flourishing.

[seafoid]

Paul Galvin


https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2026/08/06/culture-night-ambassador-paul-galvin-i-think-it-will-be-a-tough-winter-in-kerry/

I was doing
some talks beforehand, and I just had a funny feeling before that game. When it all transpired at the end of the game, it was hard to take your eyes off it, really and truly.

Maybe the rules have made the game younger again. There's a bit more space and a bit more room maybe, so that might be a thing where teams are going to have to look at perhaps going for younger sides."
[ Mayo's victory was the greatest sporting occasion I'll ever attend.


The average age of Kerry's starting 15 in the All-Ireland final was 28 while Mayo's average age was 23.8.
Kerry had no players starting the game under 24 while Mayo had seven aged 24 or younger. Andy Moran's side had three teenagers in their line-up – Eoin McGreal, Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne.

[macdanger2]

Well folks, haven't been on here in years - checked my last post and it was just after the 2021 AI final.

Was an unbelievable match and a savage week around the county, the positivity from everyone is something else.

Nice touch to see so many posters remembering Farrandeelin and Lar just after the match, it's a pity that neither lived to see this day.