A new beginning in more ways than one

No, we didn't call the baby Sam or Kobe.

But the excitement of the birth of my son and first child Benjamin on the week of Mayo's All-Ireland Final, while the world outside the hospital window turned a sea of green and red, was an experience like no other.

To be fair, our little home for a couple of days in the Maternity Ward was also turned green and red as the midwives and staff at Mayo University Hospital had decked the place out beautifully.

Benny, or Ben if you prefer, arrived to us last Tuesday and is now home. With a head full of red hair, you would be inclined to say he is the cut of dad but there are plenty of hints of his incredible mother Sophie, who I am proud everyday to be able to call my wife and best friend.

Sophie, who I might add had the foresight to see where this GAA season was going, turning to me as her native Germany put in a performance worthy of the Mayo of 75 years gone by against Paraguay at the World Cup and saying "Oh well, at least we can still rely on Mayo this summer" - I laughed then but I'm not laughing now.

Our first experiences as parents have been, as those who have been through it will know too well, tiring but magical. Getting to know the new man and helping him adjust to the world; there is nothing quite like it to fill the heart with joy.

There was some down time while mother and baby slept in the hospital. One thing was clear from endlessly scrolling social media - everybody and their mother would be willing to give away their mother for a match ticket! Like and share, like and share. One fella I know must have spent a grand on raffle tickets.

Little Benny turned out to be quite the good luck charm and how lucky a supporter he is to be born into the world where the only story to know about Mayo GAA is one of success. Six days old and he has already experienced as many All-Ireland wins for Mayo as his grandfather Michael has in his entire lifetime.

Everyone will have their story to tell in the years to come of where they were when Mayo ended 'The Famine'. Some were lucky enough to be there in Croke Park, others closer to home in pubs or with loved ones while others were scattered in timezones all over the world.

As for me, I was exactly where I wanted to be there and then. Sitting on the couch at home and holding my son asleep in my arms as the hooter sounded and history was made.

It was a powerful moment I will always remember. Come full time, one of us was in bits crying. I'll give you a hint - it wasn't Benny!