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Mayo GAA Thread

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Replying To giveitlong:  "Like in most, if not all counties, my own included, there are a number of different categories of supporter. The Season ticket holder and some others who may not hold season tickets but go to most league and all championship games, club games, including ones where their own team is not playing. They are interested in football, know and can name by sight most players in each team in the division that their county plays in, and all the refs too. They watch lots of football on TV and enjoy the games and are knowledgeable about football. Then there others who go to big games when the team is playing at home, they have an interest in it, might go to see their club if they got to the latter stages of the championship. Finally there are supporters who simply want to support their county and attend many games including away games in order to do so. They have no interest in football per say but want their team to win and cheer them wholeheartedly. Flags, hats and headbands, and the dreaded bugles, the up to the minute kit etc. The know the top players on the team. While all counties have their share of the latter, Mayo seem to have a much higher proportion of these supporters. Probably as a result of the team reaching such heights over the past 15 years or so. A team that was a match for any and were unfortunate to be at their peak at the same time at the best best team of all time. Then there is the huge diaspora support around the world, the never ending quest since '51, the curse and the slogan Mayo for Sam. They are the only team who, while having not won it in 74 years, are still in with a chance at the start of every season since 2004. Will this be our year? This situation results in very big pressure on the players and management every year. The 3rd category of supporter I believe, is a bit naive, in the sense that they do not seem to realise that replacing retired players of the stature, of Clarke, Barrett, Higgins, Keegan, Boyle, Cillian, and Moran, with players of equal ability, is all but impossible, for any county. It has been reported by a top Mayo sports journalist that the abuse directed at players and management during the closing stages of the Cavan game was off the charts. I believe it is almost certain this would only have come from category 3 supporters. The fact the game was so poorly attended, reflects knowledgeable supporters low expectations for the team in 2025. I hope Kevin makes a full and total recovery ."
Great post Giveitlong.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8029 - 28/05/2025 18:02:09    2613306

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Replying To giveitlong:  "Like in most, if not all counties, my own included, there are a number of different categories of supporter. The Season ticket holder and some others who may not hold season tickets but go to most league and all championship games, club games, including ones where their own team is not playing. They are interested in football, know and can name by sight most players in each team in the division that their county plays in, and all the refs too. They watch lots of football on TV and enjoy the games and are knowledgeable about football. Then there others who go to big games when the team is playing at home, they have an interest in it, might go to see their club if they got to the latter stages of the championship. Finally there are supporters who simply want to support their county and attend many games including away games in order to do so. They have no interest in football per say but want their team to win and cheer them wholeheartedly. Flags, hats and headbands, and the dreaded bugles, the up to the minute kit etc. The know the top players on the team. While all counties have their share of the latter, Mayo seem to have a much higher proportion of these supporters. Probably as a result of the team reaching such heights over the past 15 years or so. A team that was a match for any and were unfortunate to be at their peak at the same time at the best best team of all time. Then there is the huge diaspora support around the world, the never ending quest since '51, the curse and the slogan Mayo for Sam. They are the only team who, while having not won it in 74 years, are still in with a chance at the start of every season since 2004. Will this be our year? This situation results in very big pressure on the players and management every year. The 3rd category of supporter I believe, is a bit naive, in the sense that they do not seem to realise that replacing retired players of the stature, of Clarke, Barrett, Higgins, Keegan, Boyle, Cillian, and Moran, with players of equal ability, is all but impossible, for any county. It has been reported by a top Mayo sports journalist that the abuse directed at players and management during the closing stages of the Cavan game was off the charts. I believe it is almost certain this would only have come from category 3 supporters. The fact the game was so poorly attended, reflects knowledgeable supporters low expectations for the team in 2025. I hope Kevin makes a full and total recovery ."
You can also say that they lost two of their best up and coming talents who could have filled some of those shoes in Mullin to Aussie rules and Conroy to injury.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 136 - 28/05/2025 18:19:23    2613308

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Replying To giveitlong:  "Like in most, if not all counties, my own included, there are a number of different categories of supporter. The Season ticket holder and some others who may not hold season tickets but go to most league and all championship games, club games, including ones where their own team is not playing. They are interested in football, know and can name by sight most players in each team in the division that their county plays in, and all the refs too. They watch lots of football on TV and enjoy the games and are knowledgeable about football. Then there others who go to big games when the team is playing at home, they have an interest in it, might go to see their club if they got to the latter stages of the championship. Finally there are supporters who simply want to support their county and attend many games including away games in order to do so. They have no interest in football per say but want their team to win and cheer them wholeheartedly. Flags, hats and headbands, and the dreaded bugles, the up to the minute kit etc. The know the top players on the team. While all counties have their share of the latter, Mayo seem to have a much higher proportion of these supporters. Probably as a result of the team reaching such heights over the past 15 years or so. A team that was a match for any and were unfortunate to be at their peak at the same time at the best best team of all time. Then there is the huge diaspora support around the world, the never ending quest since '51, the curse and the slogan Mayo for Sam. They are the only team who, while having not won it in 74 years, are still in with a chance at the start of every season since 2004. Will this be our year? This situation results in very big pressure on the players and management every year. The 3rd category of supporter I believe, is a bit naive, in the sense that they do not seem to realise that replacing retired players of the stature, of Clarke, Barrett, Higgins, Keegan, Boyle, Cillian, and Moran, with players of equal ability, is all but impossible, for any county. It has been reported by a top Mayo sports journalist that the abuse directed at players and management during the closing stages of the Cavan game was off the charts. I believe it is almost certain this would only have come from category 3 supporters. The fact the game was so poorly attended, reflects knowledgeable supporters low expectations for the team in 2025. I hope Kevin makes a full and total recovery ."
Good post. However I don't think Mayo are unique in your 3rd category of GAA fan. Every county has what I term the bandwagon support. Galway u til recently again had an awful support for many years. I remember us outnumbering ye 4-1 in Salthill one year.

I remember being in Croke Park in 2011 when Mayo shocked everyone by beating All Ireland champion's Cork and Brollys infamous words beforehand "When Cork beat Mayo there will be no passengers left"

There was only around 5,000 Mayo fans in an empty Croke Park that day and that was the game that triggered the first Horan era and the bandwagon exploded. Dubs support has also dropped recently.

We Gaels aren't unique though. Just look at the recent rugby game in MacHale Park, Munster rugby back in the day….event junkies.

One thing I would disagree with you on the category of Mayo fan who stated who have little interest in football…I do think they have an interest. Their kids play underage and they are brought up and down the country to mayo games. I know those types and the only thing that ****** me off is they don't attend too many of any club senior games. But they do love football.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11595 - 29/05/2025 08:56:29    2613364

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https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41639860.html

I thought Jarleth Burns was better than that... suggesting that it's 'ok' for players to be illegally occupying a commercial premises. The whole suitation is rotten and strongly suggests there's more to come which Mayo fans are not going to like... all because one man has the audacity to ask questions because of a donation he was going to give.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1325 - 29/05/2025 10:22:27    2613383

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Replying To Square_B:  "https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41639860.html

I thought Jarleth Burns was better than that... suggesting that it's 'ok' for players to be illegally occupying a commercial premises. The whole suitation is rotten and strongly suggests there's more to come which Mayo fans are not going to like... all because one man has the audacity to ask questions because of a donation he was going to give."
Many reasons for Mayo fans to be critical of various CBs over the years, but I'd say quality of housing provided to players is pretty low down the list. Not something they should be responsible for and shines a light on the grim relatities of housing crisis.

Immer (Mayo) - Posts: 39 - 29/05/2025 11:11:13    2613393

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Replying To Square_B:  "https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41639860.html

I thought Jarleth Burns was better than that... suggesting that it's 'ok' for players to be illegally occupying a commercial premises. The whole suitation is rotten and strongly suggests there's more to come which Mayo fans are not going to like... all because one man has the audacity to ask questions because of a donation he was going to give."
aah come on this sort of stuff has been going on for years and years and you are surprised. Its in the culture of the GAA. thank god we don't pay managers either

ponger (Cavan) - Posts: 568 - 29/05/2025 11:22:54    2613396

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Replying To giveitlong:  "Like in most, if not all counties, my own included, there are a number of different categories of supporter. The Season ticket holder and some others who may not hold season tickets but go to most league and all championship games, club games, including ones where their own team is not playing. They are interested in football, know and can name by sight most players in each team in the division that their county plays in, and all the refs too. They watch lots of football on TV and enjoy the games and are knowledgeable about football. Then there others who go to big games when the team is playing at home, they have an interest in it, might go to see their club if they got to the latter stages of the championship. Finally there are supporters who simply want to support their county and attend many games including away games in order to do so. They have no interest in football per say but want their team to win and cheer them wholeheartedly. Flags, hats and headbands, and the dreaded bugles, the up to the minute kit etc. The know the top players on the team. While all counties have their share of the latter, Mayo seem to have a much higher proportion of these supporters. Probably as a result of the team reaching such heights over the past 15 years or so. A team that was a match for any and were unfortunate to be at their peak at the same time at the best best team of all time. Then there is the huge diaspora support around the world, the never ending quest since '51, the curse and the slogan Mayo for Sam. They are the only team who, while having not won it in 74 years, are still in with a chance at the start of every season since 2004. Will this be our year? This situation results in very big pressure on the players and management every year. The 3rd category of supporter I believe, is a bit naive, in the sense that they do not seem to realise that replacing retired players of the stature, of Clarke, Barrett, Higgins, Keegan, Boyle, Cillian, and Moran, with players of equal ability, is all but impossible, for any county. It has been reported by a top Mayo sports journalist that the abuse directed at players and management during the closing stages of the Cavan game was off the charts. I believe it is almost certain this would only have come from category 3 supporters. The fact the game was so poorly attended, reflects knowledgeable supporters low expectations for the team in 2025. I hope Kevin makes a full and total recovery ."
Let's not pretend that supporters only started abusing management/players since that group of lads retired.

Unfortunately it has always been a factor even when Mayo were relatively successful and played in AI finals/semi finals every year.

Aidan O'Shea, James Horan, Rob Hennelly and others have spoken about this in the past.

MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 460 - 29/05/2025 16:21:14    2613467

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Replying To MayoDan:  "Let's not pretend that supporters only started abusing management/players since that group of lads retired.

Unfortunately it has always been a factor even when Mayo were relatively successful and played in AI finals/semi finals every year.

Aidan O'Shea, James Horan, Rob Hennelly and others have spoken about this in the past."
And it's not unique to our own county. Kevin Walsh wrote a book about it.

Immer (Mayo) - Posts: 39 - 29/05/2025 18:51:42    2613505

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