LIVE BLOG: Countdown to All-Ireland SFC Final
Mayo senior football manager John O'Mahony, pictured after his side's 1989 All-Ireland final defeat to Cork, will be remembered in Croke Park next Sunday when the Galway team he managed to glory in 2001 is honoured at the 2026 All-Ireland SFC Final. Another key figure of that success, Paul Clancy, who sadly passed away last month, will also be celebrated at the 25th anniversary of Galway's memorable triumph - the last time Sam Maguire has come west. Picture: Henry Wills
Welcome to the Western People's live blog of our countdown to this weekend's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.
Mayo will be looking to end a 75-year wait for Sam when they take on Kerry in Croke Park this Sunday.
We will be featuring some of our wonderful stories from our 56-page All-Ireland final supplement from this week's paper, interviews, analysis and as well as any breaking stories from around the county in the buildup to the game.
Enjoy!
The Western People visited the Cúl Camp in Achill this week to ask 40 kids one very important question ahead of Sunday's All Ireland final .
The town and the dual club of Ballyhaunis are rallying behind their clubmate Jack Coyne as he prepares to lead Mayo out at Croke Park this Sunday for the All-Ireland Final.
ICYMI: Anyone from the county town not going to the big game can watch it on the big screen in The Mall.
There has also been an update on parking in Castlebar if you plan on going to The Mall to watch Mayo v Kerry.
You might look at the Kerry GAA crest a little differently on Sunday once you learn that it was designed by a Mayo man (yes, you read that correctly!)
Keith Bourke speaks to Mayo men ‘exiled’ in Kerry have shared their thoughts on what it’s like being a Mayo fan while camped in the Kingdom.
For many Mayo supporters, the 1997 All-Ireland Final defeat to Kerry is remembered as just another disappointing defeat on the county’s long-running quest to reclaim the Sam Maguire. But for the people of Ballyhaunis, it has been remembered in a different and more tragic light for the untimely death of Noel Waldron, a deeply passionate Mayo supporter who died suddenly in Croke Park while cheering on his native county.
Read Paul O'Malley's candid interview here.
Penny from Ballina is looking forward to the big game!
Tickets to this Sunday's All-Ireland final are big demand, and one lucky Mayo native will be returning home after 44 years after winning the national Allianz ‘Coming Home for Match Day’ competition, securing his trip back for the final against Kerry at Croke Park this Sunday.
You can read here about Michael Ruane's wonderful story.
Good afternoon everyone. Stuart Tynan here to take you through the afternoon as the county is gripped by excitement ahead of the All-Ireland final.
We hope you enjoy the blog over the coming days.
