National Forum

Equivalents In Outpouring Of Wider GAA Fans To Mayo's Win In All Ireland

(Oldest Posts First)

Not just saying as Ime an Offaly man, while Tyrone and Armagh won All Irelands in between but such was Kerrys dominance from 1978-1981 - and Offaly I suppose did have a chance in 1982 as they had played them in 1980 semi final and 1981 final itself, but there was a massive "release" of excitement and shock and when Offaly eventually beat Kerry in 1982, and I cannot recall the same outpouring since then until Mayos win yesterday...there was something just everyone was tapped into..not taking from other teams wins in between, but 82 and Mayo's win yesterday are only two where I can recall people of every age and generation feeling "relief"..all due respects to Kerry, as sign of Kerrys success is Mayos break through came against them..if your not in a final you cant lose one etc..Kerry set the standard...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1040 - 27/07/2026 13:21:26    2687507

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Not just saying as Ime an Offaly man, while Tyrone and Armagh won All Irelands in between but such was Kerrys dominance from 1978-1981 - and Offaly I suppose did have a chance in 1982 as they had played them in 1980 semi final and 1981 final itself, but there was a massive "release" of excitement and shock and when Offaly eventually beat Kerry in 1982, and I cannot recall the same outpouring since then until Mayos win yesterday...there was something just everyone was tapped into..not taking from other teams wins in between, but 82 and Mayo's win yesterday are only two where I can recall people of every age and generation feeling "relief"..all due respects to Kerry, as sign of Kerrys success is Mayos break through came against them..if your not in a final you cant lose one etc..Kerry set the standard..."
Mayo had lost 11 finals in 37 years 1989-2025, and a whopping 6 of those in 10 years 2012-2021. No wins. It was well setup for 'an outpouring' in that context. It differed from '82 imo, because yesterday was all about Mayo, and the backdrop of the tortuous last 40 years of their 75 year journey. In contrast, '82 was nearly more about Kerry than Offaly, the 'mythical' 5 in a row dashed, the 'unbeatables' beaten, and the spectacular late goal winner that pulled it off. Yesterday would be hard bet for emotion, but that's Mayo and football.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4891 - 27/07/2026 14:30:52    2687525

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Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Not just saying as Ime an Offaly man, while Tyrone and Armagh won All Irelands in between but such was Kerrys dominance from 1978-1981 - and Offaly I suppose did have a chance in 1982 as they had played them in 1980 semi final and 1981 final itself, but there was a massive "release" of excitement and shock and when Offaly eventually beat Kerry in 1982, and I cannot recall the same outpouring since then until Mayos win yesterday...there was something just everyone was tapped into..not taking from other teams wins in between, but 82 and Mayo's win yesterday are only two where I can recall people of every age and generation feeling "relief"..all due respects to Kerry, as sign of Kerrys success is Mayos break through came against them..if your not in a final you cant lose one etc..Kerry set the standard..."
Ah thank you Fairplay.
Even in defeat I was so proud of the Kerry supporters yesterday and their genuine warmth towards Mayo s fans after the game.
Mayo s John Maughan said he has attended over 40 All Ireland finals beteen hurling and football and he never saw so many of the losing team supporters wait on to watch Mayo recieve Sam as the Kerry supporters did yesterday.Well done lads.

On emotions its gas as I was there for Offaly in 82 but was a teenager .Also there for Armagh 02 ,Tyrone 03,Dubs 11, .

I cant remember the Offaly aftermath (sorry) as I was so upset but Armagh 02 was something special and yesterday might just have eclipsed it.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4213 - 27/07/2026 15:03:33    2687535

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Kerry supporters stayed on to congratulate Armagh in 02. It was the same for Mayo yesterday. Game respects game.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 10015 - 27/07/2026 15:04:27    2687536

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Kerry supporters stayed on to congratulate Armagh in 02. It was the same for Mayo yesterday. Game respects game."
I saw Kerry supporters throwing drinks over Dublin kids in Davin End in 2011. Certainly didn't hang around for the presentation.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4516 - 27/07/2026 15:28:52    2687549

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I don't remember 1982 but my father often said Offaly's 1982 win was huge and everybody at the time outside really wanted Offaly to win due to Kerry's dominance at the time, he said at the time people wondered would Kerry dominance ever end.

Yesterday was the by far the biggest win in terms of national interest that I can remember- I think more for the fact of getting to 11 finals since 1989 and not winning any of them more than the 75 year wait itself.
Lot of close run finals in there.

Clare in the 1995 huling felt big, there are not many teams competitive in hurling and a new team coming on the scene felt refreshing.

I get the impression Down winning the football in 1991 was huge for the 9 Ulster counties (up there they all seem to support the other Ulster teams in Semi finals/ finals) and that was the first Ulster team first to win it in 23 years.

I actually don't think we'll see a team winning an All Ireland being such a big story nationally in my lifetime if ever.
Qualifing for 11 finals in 33 seasons and losing them all, likelihood of this happening is very small, more so when you see that there have been a lot of close run defeats.

GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 138 - 27/07/2026 15:29:39    2687551

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Mayo had lost 11 finals in 37 years 1989-2025, and a whopping 6 of those in 10 years 2012-2021. No wins. It was well setup for 'an outpouring' in that context. It differed from '82 imo, because yesterday was all about Mayo, and the backdrop of the tortuous last 40 years of their 75 year journey. In contrast, '82 was nearly more about Kerry than Offaly, the 'mythical' 5 in a row dashed, the 'unbeatables' beaten, and the spectacular late goal winner that pulled it off. Yesterday would be hard bet for emotion, but that's Mayo and football."
well said and correct,,different sceario again but also "relief"was Galway beating Dublin was it last year to knock them out - the 6 in a row team were invinciable too to be fair..but your right - the lenght of Mayos heart ache really was enormous and yesterday was not begrudged..I was beside a few of them in AI semi final between Offaly and Mayo in 1997 and the crew I was beside were a bit toffy nosed with their heads under where the sit, but like any county you will always get them, and vast vast majorityy are sound people...well done Mayo..I said it from AI quarter final time onwards - it was possible this might be Mayos year as they were coming from ground zero virtually...they certainly finished with some pinache...

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1040 - 27/07/2026 15:31:28    2687555

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Replying To GreenMan1987:  "I don't remember 1982 but my father often said Offaly's 1982 win was huge and everybody at the time outside really wanted Offaly to win due to Kerry's dominance at the time, he said at the time people wondered would Kerry dominance ever end.

Yesterday was the by far the biggest win in terms of national interest that I can remember- I think more for the fact of getting to 11 finals since 1989 and not winning any of them more than the 75 year wait itself.
Lot of close run finals in there.

Clare in the 1995 huling felt big, there are not many teams competitive in hurling and a new team coming on the scene felt refreshing.

I get the impression Down winning the football in 1991 was huge for the 9 Ulster counties (up there they all seem to support the other Ulster teams in Semi finals/ finals) and that was the first Ulster team first to win it in 23 years.

I actually don't think we'll see a team winning an All Ireland being such a big story nationally in my lifetime if ever.
Qualifing for 11 finals in 33 seasons and losing them all, likelihood of this happening is very small, more so when you see that there have been a lot of close run defeats."
Yeah theres no real equivalent,unless a total total outsider was to win an All-Ireland out of nowhere,but even that wouldn't carry the weight of Mayos recent history.

If i had to pick the most recent example it would be Tipp stopping Kilkenny in 2010 ,many people with no interest in GAA were glued to that one,but even that wasnt anywhere near yesterday.

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 220 - 27/07/2026 15:55:15    2687562

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