All-Ireland Final countdown: Byrne and the Babes travel the glory trail

One of Mayo football’s most famous fans believes this could finally be Mayo’s year.

Castlebar publican Mick Byrne has become synonymous without the county’s GAA side and their fortunes.

Mick and his Byrnes’ Babes have followed the side around the country, overseas, and along that well-trodden path to Croke Park for decades. Mick’s legendary band of Mayo supporters have been a fixture at Mayo matches since 1981, even releasing their own anthem in 1996.

“We are really looking forward to the final,” Mick told the Western People.

He said this young and exciting Mayo team have set pulses racing in the county again.

“I think we have a serious, serious chance. We are playing a brand of football we have never played before. Granted, you have to look at the teams we have been up against, we haven’t played a Division One team. We played Tyrone, we played Cork, we played Meath, and we played Louth. We haven’t met any of the big ones but you can only play what’s in front of you. We were very impressive against Cork and against Louth.

“We have such an exciting team now. Of course, everyone talks about the full-forward line but there are a few fellas in other areas of the pitch that are coming to the fore as well. The backline seems to be gelling well together, Jack Livingstone in goal, young McGreal, Donnacha McHugh, Callinan. Without a shadow of a doubt I think we have a serious, serious chance,” said the Castlebar man.

The Byrnes Babes travelled in large numbers to London for Mayo’s Connacht SFC opener in April while Mick’s first All-Ireland final was all the way back in 1974 – and he hasn’t missed one since. He has witnessed some of Mayo’s finest attackers in action over the years and feels the current inside-forward unit ranks among the very best.

“I would put them up there with any Mayo team and I’m watching them for the past 60 years. You look at Kobe’s pass for O’Donoghue’s goal against Louth, it was absolutely superb. When Beirne got his goal, he took a shot and the defender parried it and Beirne ran 30 yards to make sure he got the ball and score the goal. Ryan O’Donoghue is playing the football of his life. I saw Ryan O’Donogue last year when Belmullet came to Castlebar and it was the best individual display I have ever seen by a Mayo man.”

Fortune has rarely favoured Mayo on All-Ireland final day but Mick believes the pendulum has to eventually swing our way.

“There was three decisions in the semi-final against Dublin that went Kerry’s way, and there were three decisions against Tyrone that went their way. You can’t be getting these decisions the whole time,” said Mick.

He is delighted to see the Castlebar contingent playing a major role.

“I am delighted for Donnacha. He was out a bit with injury, but he is back. He has a role to play, and he is doing it exceptionally well. Bob Tuohy has been quietly efficient; he did a great job against Louth. What do you say about Paddy Durcan? He is one of the finest that ever wore the Green and Red for Mayo.” 

Byrne's pub is a perpetual hotbed of GAA discussion, and the temperature is rising in line with the recent sweltering temperatures.

“The place has been given a great lift. The support is back again,” said Mick.

“I think there is a sense of expectation. There is something about this team. They are beginning to click. I would be very optimistic that we will win. You can’t be going to the well the whole time. This will be our 14th [final] in Croke Park since 1989. We have to get a bit of luck, we can’t always have everything going against us,” he added.

“All the talk is Mayo football at the moment. There is nobody talking about the World Cup anymore!” Mick laughed.

Mick has grown to appreciate the ‘armchair experts’ that inevitably voice their two cents.

“The great thing about the pub game is that everyone has an opinion, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. You give everyone a chance to express themselves. The buzz is brilliant at the moment. What makes it special in a county like Mayo is that nearly everyone knows somebody on the team. You have young Beirne who recently started in the bank in Castlebar. They must have his heart broken up there already. There is people going into the bank now that never had an AIB account in their lives!” he laughed.