All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[whitey]

Fvckin insane that the terms of the curse played out

And they wore white like 1951

[Stickittotheman]

That was some spectacle for an All Ireland final. A brilliant game. Well done to Mayo who were full value for the win- and that was after the first 15 mins were it looked like it might get away from them early doors.

[APM]

Delighted for Mayo!

[AustinPowers]

Fvckin insane that the terms of the curse played out

And they wore white like 1951

Will they ever  wear green and red again?

The black and white of   Mayo doesn't have the same ring to  it

[mrdeeds]

Fvckin insane that the terms of the curse played out

And they wore white like 1951

And first final since last player died?

[cavanmaniac]

I was invested in that Mayo win almost as much as I would have been had it been my own county. It was nervier than it needed to be but with all the psychological baggage, that was understandable. For once the gods were with them.

[Wildweasel74]

It be McDonald, not overly starring today but he the YPOFY

[thewobbler]

Why Mayo can win. Plenty of reasons. They've a goalkeeper who makes the game look easy. They've a nice balance of size and athleticism in defence. They've developed a central player - McHugh - who seems to understand now he's not a county level midfielder but is a county level spoiler of athletic players. Their midfield is functional ie they are honest, hard working spoilers. They've got a highest class wing forward in  Flynn. They've got pacy, ball winning finishers up front. Their star player ROD has finally learned how to handle Croke Park. They've got serious cover on their bench in pretty much every position. They've got the perfect age profile to win Sam, with most of the team seasoned D1 footballers. They've got a manager who so far has shown he's not sentimental, but same manager still can throw a buffalo into FF if needed. But most of all, they're neither predictable nor reliant on any particular type of football or any single player.

Why Mayo could get smashed to bits. Nothing to do with ability, composure, experience. This boils down to two sides of a mental equation. One being that Mayo in AI finals usually find some brand new way to make their lives more difficult than needs be, especially in the first half. The other being that it's Kerry they're up against, and they'll smell a mismatch before anyone notices, and exploit it before anyone can change it up.

I genuinely believe that if Ruane and/or DOC are brought into the Mayo team as WHBs, then they'll be able to weather any early storm / limit Kerry's ability to win 10 kickouts in a row and end the game while  their big men are still full of running. That move would allow McBrien to go to FB on O'Shea or Geaney, Callinan or Hession to sweep / take turns at Paudie, and leave McHugh to accept that keeping David Clifford to 1.04 or 1.06 from play, means Mayo will likely win.

The first half is more important than the second half this weekend.

Seeing as I'm right about once every two years I'm going to gloat on this one.

What a day out.

[whitey]

Fvckin insane that the terms of the curse played out

And they wore white like 1951

And first final since last player died?

Yes

[DaleCooper]

Would Mayo fear the Dubs? Or kerry with a half fit David?

People are right to say Kerry havent hit the heights but they are leaving it long enough. You dont magically turn form on, even though this particular side can get out of jail via individual brilliance.

I would give Mayo a bigger chance than most. Its rare to see Kerry folk be so openly confident of victory.

The quick turnaround is a gift but have to feel this could be won on the sideline as much as anything.

Andy gambled and it paid off just about. In a less pressurised game Mayo would have won by 6-8

[Mourne Red]

Fantastic win for Mayo, hard not to get swept away in the emotion for them seeing how long they've battled and how close they've been over the years.

Hope they enjoy their celebrations, well deserved.

[square_ball]

That was as good a final as I've seen. A great way to end a great year of football.

[Orior]

Well done Mayo. Great Final.

[gallsman]

It be McDonald, not overly starring today but he the YPOFY

Nah it's Beirne. Did more damage throughout the campaign. Both of them showed up today after ropey starts

[cavanmaniac]

That was as good a final as I've seen. A great way to end a great year of football.

One of sport's greatest hoodoos getting consigned to history, to trigger an emotional outpouring the likes of which we've never seen...a truly fitting bookend  for a vintage championship season.