All-Ireland Final countdown: Toronto is teeming with Mayo fans longing for victory
Oliver Maughan (right) pictured with his friends, left to right, Keelan Dyra (Lahardane) and Peter Kelly (Knockmore), and his brother, Niall, last summer in Toronto.
When people think of the Irish diaspora in North America, they tend to think of New York, Boston, Chicago and Vancouver – but Toronto has a pretty sizeable Irish community of its own, and that always comes to bear this time of year as the All-Ireland finals are taking place.
Some readers will probably remember seeing my byline in the years ago, but I’ve been living in Toronto since April 2024. I recently became a permanent resident of Canada, and I absolutely love it here, but this time of year makes me yearn for home. As a Tuam native, I found it especially tough in 2024 when my beloved Galway reached the All-Ireland SFC final (I was better off being in Toronto, it turned out). That feeling will be felt by Mayo people all over the world who won’t be able to make it home.
I am currently the PRO of St Pat’s GAA Club in Toronto, and I decided to speak with some Mayo people based in the city to see what they are doing on All-Ireland final day.
26-year-old Olivia Murray moved to Toronto from Belmullet in the summer of 2025, and she has been thriving ever since.
“I came to Toronto for a change. I had itchy feet to travel outside of Ireland after living abroad before,” Olivia said. “I had a family member who lived here, and she told me how beautiful and vibrant Toronto was, so I just took a chance and came to live here solo last year. I left my family, friends, and job for a chance at a new beginning and thankfully, it’s paid off. I’m loving every minute of it here.
“I’ve made some great friends through the Irish communities here, a major one being the St Pat’s team. No matter where you go in the world, there’s always an Irish person there happy to help you.”
Despite enjoying life in Toronto, Olivia misses home, especially when Mayo are playing championship football.
“Homesickness hits you in waves. It can be something so random, a picture, a smell or something someone says that makes your heart ache a little,” she says. “It’s tough this time, especially being away for the All-Ireland championship, knowing all the celebrations and hype that will be happening at home.
“I’m definitely a proud Mayo woman and always have been. When I’ve met new people over here, the first thing out of my mouth is ‘I’m from Mayo!’ There’s something special about Mayo. The scenery, the people, the communities, it’s hard to be away from Ireland, but it’s especially hard to be away from Mayo.”
Olivia won’t be travelling home for the All-Ireland final but she’ll be celebrating it in true Toronto style.
“I’ll be watching it in an Irish bar here in Toronto, surrounding myself with fellow Mayo people. The time difference means watching the match is at 10:30am over here, but that’s positive because I don’t have to wait around anxiously all day!”
Olivia is very confident that Mayo will get the job done on Sunday.
“I think this is our year. Which, I know, comes out of most Mayo people’s mouths when the championship rolls around, but this time feels different.
“We have a strong team this year, especially with the younger additions such as Kobe [McDonald] and Darragh [Beirne], and of course, fellow Belmullet man Ryan O’Donoghue.
“You can definitely see the hunger and determination on the team to bring it home. So, let’s bring it home, Mayo for Sam!”
20-year-old journalism student Oliver Maughan came to Toronto in May 2025 with his brother Niall, and friends Keelan Dyra and Peter Kelly. They originally planned on spending the summer here but Oliver and Knockmore native Peter decided to defer their academic year and spend the year in Toronto.
“I had never really considered moving to Toronto until I was at a family funeral and a job opportunity came about from a relative who lives here, so I decided to get up and go,” he revealed.
Oliver’s family are steeped in GAA, as his uncle is former Mayo manager John Maughan. It has been difficult for him this summer, being away from home.
“I miss travelling across the country, whether it be with friends or family, to different matches. Seeing the craic at home in the pubs and up in Dublin over the past few weeks has been hard to watch from afar, but the Mayo crowd over here has had good craic all the same.
“Being from Mayo is so important to me. In terms of GAA, Mayo supporters are the most loyal fan base of any team in Ireland.”
Since coming to Toronto, Oliver has become involved with the Mayo Association of Toronto, which he is really proud to be a part of.
“The Mayo Association of Toronto was set up in 1988 by John Morley. It’s an organisation that promotes all things Mayo-related for the large community of Mayo expats over here in the city. I joined the committee as PRO last year. It’s a fantastic thing to join, especially moving over here and not knowing many people; you immediately get involved with like-minded people who have all made the same move from Mayo to Toronto!”
Oliver is definitely a believer, as he got ‘Mayo 4 Sam’ tattooed on his arm last year!
“I will be watching this year’s final in Ireland,” he says. “I booked my flights during the week as I thought I couldn’t miss the atmosphere of actually being in the action. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get my hands on a ticket so I’ll be able to watch the match in Croke Park. Fingers crossed!
“This is our year, Mayo for Sam!”
Yvonne Morley was born and reared in Toronto, but she is Mayo as Mayo gets.
Her father is the aforementioned Knock native John Morley, who founded the Mayo Association of Toronto, and her mother, Kathleen, hails from Claremorris.
“My dad is the biggest Mayo supporter going. I remember earlier years where the only place to watch GAA games was at the Irish centre, so it was a huge day out and a packed house. It probably wasn’t until the early 2000s that I myself got as mad into it,” Yvonne told the .
“We were raised very much proud of and connected to our Irish and Mayo heritage, being involved in Irish dancing, the Mayo Association, St Patrick’s Day parade and, of course, the GAA.
“My sister Lorraine and brother Sean have played for St Pat’s. My brother and I have chaired the club, following in the footsteps of our dad. Mom is the only one who hasn’t togged out but has said she’s washed more jerseys than she can count, so has more than done her bit.”
Yvonne is steeped in GAA. She is currently the Planning Officer for Canada GAA, and along with being a former chairperson of St Pat’s, she helped found the club’s ladies team, just over a decade ago, which has won four Toronto SFC titles in-a-row.
However, her love for Mayo is always to the fore.
“We were lucky to get to visit Mayo a good few times growing up, which must have been tough for my parents with three young kids, but they felt it was really important that we know our family and heritage,” she remembers.
“We’d spend most of the time in Mayo. Playing back the fields with our cousins, getting ice creams at Smyths (before it was a toy shop), and going to Mass in Knock. I remember going to the site where the airport was being built and dad’s pride at what Fr. Horan was doing for Mayo and the west.
“Mom and dad were founding members of the [Mayo] Association with dad as the first chairperson, a role they both held off and on over the last 40 years. My sister Lorraine stepped in as chairperson this year in a true passing of the baton and is working with a new committee of second gen Mayo and newer arrivals to keep the flag flying.
“We’re one of the few counties that continue to have a strong presence at the St Patrick’s Day parade – both as a marching group and floats. It’s mainly a social outlet and we’re all proud of the work she’s doing to keep it going.”
She has been following the Green and Red’s pursuits with pride for many years, on both sides of the Atlantic, and she’s been to many All-Ireland finals.
“We were at the year they drew with Dublin (2016) and it was great to at least live another day. We had many great days out and enjoyment even though the finals didn’t go as we’d hoped. The team has been a real source of pride for us.”
Yvonne is travelling to Dublin for the final – hoping to get her hands on a ticket.
Ballina native Siobhán Glacken has been living in Toronto since 2022. After graduating with a degree in Event Management with Public Relations at ATU Galway, she moved to Dublin and spent four-and-a-half years working as an Event Sales Executive at the Citywest Hotel.
“'I’ve always had a passion for events and event planning, and one of the highlights of my time there was looking after the Mayo team during their All-Ireland Final appearances, while we didn't get to see Sam Maguire make the journey west.”
In 2022, Siobhán booked a one-way ticket to Toronto and hasn’t looked back since.
“It has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Leaving my family behind wasn't easy, but the experiences I've had and the incredible people I've met along the way have made Toronto feel like a second home. One of the biggest highlights of my time here has been joining the St Pat's Ladies team. It allowed me to meet new people from all around Ireland, build lifelong friendships, and continue playing a sport that reminds me of home.”
Siobhán is also a part of the Mayo Association of Toronto, which allows her to express her Mayoness with pride.
“Being from Mayo has helped me connect with other Mayo people here in Toronto, and that instant bond you get when you meet someone from home is second to none. The Mayo Association has long served as a social and cultural hub for Mayo expats and the wider Irish community in Toronto. When I came to Canada, I knew I had to get involved, and I now hold the current position as secretary on the committee for 2026.”
While Siobhán unfortunately won’t make it home for the final, you’ll probably be able to hear her roaring from across the Atlantic.
“I will be going to my local Irish pub, The West Cork, to watch the game with a few other Mayo fans.
“I truly believe this is our year. People always say, “Sure, Mayo fans say that every year,” but this time it genuinely feels different.
“We have a new team, a new manager, and a fresh belief running through the team. Andy Moran knows exactly what it feels like to come so close without getting over the line, and that experience, combined with the talent and determination of this group, gives me every confidence that this is our moment.
“I'm 100% convinced that Sam Maguire is coming home to Mayo.”
John Morley first set foot in Toronto in 1975. He then moved back home to marry his wife Kathleen (née Murray), and they moved back out in 1977.
The job opportunities were pretty scarce in the west of Ireland, and as we were starting a family, we thought it was the best place,” John says. “My sister Margaret was living here and we had family here, and we stayed with them while we found our feet.” John and Kathleen have lived in Toronto ever since, rearing Yvonne, Lorraine and Sean.
The couple have always kept their connection to their home county as they established the Mayo Association of Toronto in 1988.
“I’ve built a number of parade floats telling the various stories about Mayo to the people of Toronto – Croagh Patrick, the airport, even Midwest Radio! The most popular ones were the rural story of the thatch cottage, donkey and cart, and cutting turf.
“These last few years with the internet, I’ve been able to keep in even closer touch with home – listening to (including my cousin Michael Commins’ late night programs that are on at dinner time), reading the online, and of course watching (and rewatching) Mayo games.”
John fondly remembers attending his first-ever Mayo game against Galway in Claremorris in 1964, and he’s been following the Green and Red ever since.
“Years ago, we could only watch in the local Irish pub ($20 a game!). There were great days and atmosphere, but with GAA+, most of us watch from home now.
“I’ve been to one All-Ireland – 1996… need I say more? Generally, I’ve enjoyed watching them here with my friends and family close by to replay the highlights and lowlights.” John will be hosting a watch party from his home in Toronto with his close friends.
“Once you get to the final, you have a chance. Kerry are a strong outfit, but our young bucks have given us all reason to hope. So why not us?”
