Mayo GAA

Early years – Mayo's first All-Ireland

One of the great turning points in GAA history west of the Shannon was the 1935 Connacht Final when 26,000 turned out to see National League Champions Mayo beat the All-Ireland champions Galway in Roscommon. In the 1936 Connacht Final Mayo were leading by a goal in the last minute when Brendan Nestor scored an equalising goal for Galway – he raised the flag himself and caused a riot. However, Mayo won the replay and went on to capture their first All-Ireland Title, beating Laois by 4–11 (23) to 0–5 (5) in the final. The following year, 1937, they were the victim of a Louis Blessing last-minute goal in the All Ireland Semi-Final against Cavan in another match that featured a pitch invasion. It ended Mayo's run of 57 matches without defeat. Mayo dominated the National Football League for six years, but pulled out of the 1939–40 league in a grievance over the 1939 semi-final, a bad-tempered draw and replay with Kerry. Mayo returned to the competition to win their seventh National Football League title in 1941. Unfortunately, due to World War II, the league was suspended for four seasons until 1946, and Mayo were unable to add to these successes.

1940s and 1950s – Mayo's greatest ever team

Following Mayo's 1939 Connacht Final victory, it took the team nine years to emerge from Connacht again, but they narrowly lost the 1948 All-Ireland Final to Cavan and 1949 semi-final to Meath. However, they returned to Croke Park in 1950 to win an extraordinary All-Ireland Title when Louth's Sean Boyle had his kick-out charged down and Mick Flanagan broke through for a freak winning goal, Mayo winning the game by 2–5 (11) to 1–6 (9). In 1951 Mayo retained the All-Ireland Title, winning their third title overall, with three late points from Pádraig Carney (known as the flying doctor because he had returned from the United States to play the game) giving Mayo a 2–8 (14) to 0–9 (9) win over Meath. During this period, Mayo also won the National Football League in 1949 and 1954, their eight and ninth titles in this competition. Eight wides and a one-point defeat in the replayed 1955 All-Ireland Semi-Final against Dublin brought this particular era to an end.

Mayo went 12 years without winning another Connacht Championship title, until the Mayo team of the late 1960s won the Connacht Championship in 1967 (destroying Galway's 4-in-a-row All-Ireland hopes in the process) and again in 1969. Mayo also added their tenth National League Title to their collection in 1970, beating Down in the final on a scoreline of 4–7 (19) to 0–10 (10). Despite this success, the 1970s was arguably the least successful decade in the history of Mayo football, as the team failed to win a Connacht Championship title throughout the decade, coming closest when losing the 1975 final to Sligo following a replay.

1980–89: Mayo's return to regional prominence

While the team had not won an All-Ireland title since 1951, nor even qualified for the final, the 1980s saw a marked improvement in the team's fortunes. A twelve-year gap was finally bridged in 1981 when Sligo were defeated in the Connacht Final on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-4 at McHale Park, which was followed by a heavy defeat to a great Kerry side, 1-6 to 2-19.

Next year, 1982, brought a heavy Connacht Final defeat at the hands of Galway in Tuam, and a rematch of the final the following year in Castlebar again saw Galway run out the victors, this time by three points. Mayo had at this stage dropped to Division 2 of the NFL and lost a promotion playoff to Roscommon in early 1984. For the third consecutive year, Galway and Mayo met in the Connacht Final, this time in Pearse Stadium, Galway. The result remained the same, with Galway completing the three-in-a-row, 2-13 to 2-9.

Mayo were on the opposite side of the draw to Galway in 1985, and easy victories over Leitrim (semi-final) and Roscommon in the final, saw them claim the Nestor Cup. The final was notable as it saw the retirement of Roscommon great Dermot Earley, Snr, who was chaired from the pitch by the Mayo players at the end of the match. Dublin lay in wait in the All-Ireland Semi-Final, and Mayo's first championship meeting with the Dubs since 1955 ended in a draw 1-13 to 1-13. The first match saw Mayo player John Finn's jaw broken in mysterious circumstances and tension was high for the replay. However, despite a goal from Padraig Brogan, Dublin made easy work of Mayo in the end, running out winners by eight points, 2-12 to 1-7. Despite this, the year marked as close as Mayo had come to an All Ireland Final since 1955. Dermot Flanagan, Willie Joe Padden and Kevin McStay received All Stars in recognition of their performances during the year.

Although 1986 saw promotion to Division 1 of the league, the championship campaign ended in disappointment with a Connacht Semi-Final defeat to Roscommon at McHale Park. The following year saw Mayo reach the Connacht Final, going down on this occasion to Galway in a low scoring match, 0-7 to 0-8. 1988 saw the team slide to Division 2, but Connacht wins over Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon in the final saw them reach another All-Ireland Semi-Final. Reigning All-Ireland champions Meath proved too strong for Mayo, running out 0-16 to 2-5 winners, and then going on to defend their title.

The 1989 season saw former player John O'Mahony take over as manager, and after mixed results in the league, an epic championship ensued. After a draw in the Connacht Semi-Final against Galway in Tuam, Mayo won the replay 2-13 to 1-8 in Castlebar, with goals from Liam McHale and Anthony 'Larry' Finnerty. The final was played in Castlebar against Roscommon and this too resulted in a draw, 0-12 to 1-9. A further 70 minutes in Dr. Hyde Park a week later also could not separate the teams, with Mayo eventually running out winners 3-14 to 2-13 after extra time. A scrappy game in the All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone ended with Mayo as winners 0-12 to 1-6, and was made famous by the iconic image of a bandaged Willie Joe Padden. Mayo's first All-Ireland Final appearance in 38 years was against Cork, runners up from the previous two seasons. Cork's experience told in the final, and despite a goal by substitute Finnerty in the middle of the second half, Cork ran out winners on a scoreline of 0–17 to 1–11. All Stars followed that year for Gabriel Irwin, Jimmy Browne, Dermot Flanagan, Willie Joe Padden and Noel Durkin.

1990–99: Fall and rise

Despite winning Connacht titles in 1992 and 1993, the early 1990s was a largely unsuccessful period for Mayo, as Connacht football in general suffered a severe drop in standards between 1990 and 1995.

Mayo suffered from a hangover of sorts in 1990, and the championship campaign amounted to just one outing, a 2-11 to 1-12 defeat to Galway in Tuam. The following season proved little better, as after big wins over London and Galway, Mayo faced Roscommon in the Connacht Final. A last minute free from long range by Roscommon's Derek Duggan led to a replay in Dr. Hyde Park, which saw Mayo go down by a single point, 0-13 to 1-9. John O'Mahony stepped down as manager at the end of the season, following a dispute between O'Mahony and the County Board over appointment of team selectors.

Former Dublin player Brian McDonald took over as manager for the 1992 season, which proved more successful for Mayo. Following a first round replay victory over Galway, Mayo got the better of Sligo in the Connacht semi-final and then Roscommon in the final. This set up a first ever meeting with Donegal in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. In what is widely regarded as one of the worst semi-finals of modern times, Donegal beat Mayo on a scoreline of 0-13 to 0-9, before going on to shock Dublin in the All-Ireland Final. TJ Kilgallon was awarded an All Star at midfield at the end of year awards. A player revolt ultimately saw McDonald pushed out, over allegations concerning his training methods, which were said to include pushing a car around a car park.

Former Kerry legend Jack O'Shea took over from McDonald as manager for 1993. Back-to-back Connacht titles were secured in a poor game against Roscommon, which finished 1-5 to 0-7. Humiliation followed in the All-Ireland Semi-Final against Cork, where Mayo went down by 20 points, 5-15 to 0-10. Kevin O'Neill was a rare bright spot for Mayo, and the young forward ended the year with an All Star. Despite the result, O'Shea remained in place for 1994, a campaign that culminated in defeat in the Connacht final by a Leitrim side now managed by John O'Mahony. This was only Leitrim's second ever Connacht title, and prompted O'Shea to step down.

Anthony Egan took over from O'Shea as manager but 1995 proved a low point for Mayo, with relegation to Division 3 of the NFL followed by an unsuccessful championship which culminated in a defeat in the Connacht final to Galway by 7 points in Tuam.

John Maughan, who had achieved some notable successes as manager of Clare including a 1992 Munster Championship title win, was brought in as manager in an effort to improve the team's standing. Maughan was a former Mayo player and Defence Forces officer. He was renowned for the physical fitness regime he imposed on his teams, and the improvements were swift. Mayo won Division 3 of the National League in 1996 before going on to win their third Connacht title of the decade, overcoming Galway in the final. Maughan's side produced their performance of the year in the All-Ireland Semi-Final against Kerry, winning by 2–13 to 1–10, a lobbed goal from 40 metres by James Horan in the last minute of the game sealing the victory. This was Mayo's first victory against Kerry in the championship since 1951.

In the All-Ireland Final against Meath Ray Dempsey's 45th-minute goal gave Mayo a lead of six points; however a Meath comeback, culminating in a last-minute Colm Coyle long-range point, saw the game end in a draw on a scoreline of 1–9 to 0–12. During a bad-tempered replay – which included a brawl in which Coyle and Liam McHale, one of Mayo's most influential players, was sent off – Mayo led by four points at half-time only to succumb to a Tommy Dowd goal, losing the game by one-point on a scoreline of 2–9 to 1–11. Mayo's efforts saw Kenneth Mortimer, Pat Holmes, James Nallen, Liam McHale and James Horan secure All Stars.

Mayo retained the Connacht title in 1997, beating Galway, Leitrim and Sligo in the final. The Galway win was notable as it was Mayo's first victory in Tuam in over 30 years. Mayo went on to reach their second successive All-Ireland Final following a 0–13 to 0–7 victory over the Leinster Champions, Offaly. However, Mayo again lost out in the final, losing by 0–13 to 1–7 to Kerry in a poor game illuminated by the skill of Kerry forward Maurice Fitzgerald. Mortimer was again honoured with an All Star, with only Pat Fallon joining him from the ranks of the Mayo team.

Mayo entered the 1998 Connacht Championship as hot favourites, but once more the spectre of John O'Mahony returned to haunt them as his Galway side ambushed Mayo in the preliminary round in Castlebar. Two goals from Ciarán McDonald couldn't prevent a 2-6 to 1-13 defeat.

In 1999 Mayo returned to Division 1 of the National Football League and another Connacht title (Mayo's fifth of the decade) followed, after wins over New York, Roscommon and Galway in the final. However, Mayo failed to reach another All-Ireland Final falling to Cork 2-12 to 0-12 in the semi-final. James Horan secured and All Star and manager John Maughan resigned after four tumultuous seasons.

2000–09: Success and failure

Pat Holmes came on board as manager for the 2000 season, but his managerial career got off to a poor start with a first round defeat in the Connacht Championship against Sligo. The National Football League provided some relief however, and when the matches resumed in the spring of 2001 Mayo won their eleventh National Football League title, beating archrivals Galway in the final on a scoreline of 0–13 to 0–12 courtesy of a late point from substitute Marty McNicholas, in what was the only national final played between the two western rivals. This was Mayo's first national title since the NFL victory in 1970. Unfortunately, league success did not transfer to the championship and Mayo lost the Connacht Final to Roscommon following a last minute goal by Gerry Lohan. The introduction of the qualifier system that year meant Mayo got a second chance against Westmeath. This also ended in defeat for Mayo, albeit after extra time, on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-16.

The 2002 Championship again got off to a bad start for Mayo, with defeat in their first game against Galway. Into the qualifiers once more, Mayo fared better this time with wins over Roscommon, Limerick and Tipperary, facing the latter duo for the first time in the championship. In the All-Ireland Quarter Final (the quarter final stage having been added to the championship in 2001), Cork again provided the opposition, Mayo again losing out 0-16 to 1-10.

Mayo's failure to win a Connacht title under Holmes and his departure at the end of the 2002 season paved the way for John Maughan's return for a second stint as manager of the team. His first season in charge was not particularly successful however, with Mayo eventually falling to Fermanagh in the last 12 of the championship following a Connacht Final defeat to Galway.

In 2004, Mayo regained the Connacht title with ease following facile wins over New York, Galway and Roscommon, with none of these teams able to finish their matches within five points of Mayo. Mayo followed this success with a surprise victory over reigning All-Ireland Champions Tyrone in the All-Ireland Quarter Final on a scoreline of 0–16 to 1–09. However, Mayo's form rapidly deteriorated following this win, and the team struggled to see off surprise semi-finalists Fermanagh following a replay before losing the All-Ireland Final to Kerry by eight points on a scoreline of 1–20 to 2–9. James Nallen and Ciarán McDonald made the All Stars team that year.

Mayo failed to retain their Connacht title in 2005 losing to Galway in the final. A three-point victory over Cavan in the qualifiers led to a three-point All-Ireland Quarter-Final defeat to Kerry, bringing to an end Maughan's second spell as manager.

In 2006, Mickey Moran became Mayo's first manager from outside the county since Jack O'Shea managed the team in the early 1990s. Moran guided the team to another Connacht title, beating Galway by a point in the final. Following an unconvincing replay victory over Laois in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final, in the Semi-Final against Dublin Mayo produced arguably their greatest performance since the defeat of Kerry ten years previously. Even before the game started tensions were raised by Mayo warming up into the Hill 16 end. They were soon joined by Dublin, and some jostling occurred between players and management teams. The match itself was of high quality and resulted in Mayo coming from seven points behind with 20 minutes remaining to defeat favourites Dublin on a scoreline of 1–16 to 2–12. Ciarán McDonald's winning point from under the Hogan Stand was a particular highlight. Kerry again awaited Mayo in the All Ireland Final and for the third time in 10 years they defeated Mayo, this time on a scoreline of 4–15 to 3–5. Alan Dillon won his first All Star award, as did Conor Mortimer, joining his brother Kenneth as an award winner. Despite the relative success of the 2006 season, rumours persisted of divisions between Moran and the Mayo County Board and Moran was not retained as manager for the 2007 season.

In 2007, John O'Mahony returned as Mayo manager following a 16-year absence during which he had won a Connacht title with Leitrim (1994) as well as two All-Ireland titles with Galway (1998 and 2001) and in his first season led the team to the National League Final, where they were defeated by Donegal. Well beaten by Galway in the Connacht Final, they exited the Championship in the second round of the Qualifiers at the hands of Derry in Celtic Park, Derry, a game in which Ciarán McDonald made his final appearance for Mayo off the bench.

In 2008, after losing the Connacht final by a point once more to Galway, they were narrowly beaten by eventual All Ireland Champions Tyrone in the Qualifiers, 0-13 to 1-9. An injury time point by Peader Gardiner saw Mayo win their first Connacht title since O'Mahony's return, and their 42nd title overall, when they beat Galway in the 2009 Connacht Final on a scoreline of 2–12 to 1–14. However, defeat to Meath followed in the All-Ireland Quarter Final, 2-15 to 1-15.

2010–present: The Horan years and unsuccessful championship pursuits

MacHale Park in November 2016

2010 was a nadir for Mayo; despite reaching the National League Final, they were beaten by Cork, and defeat in the Connacht Championship first round by Sligo was followed up by an All-Ireland Qualifier Round 1 loss to Longford. John O'Mahony immediately stepped down as Mayo manager following the game. The return of 'Johnno' had promised much, but only a single Connacht title was won in that tenure, and the county suffered a number of poor defeats in the Qualifiers.

O'Mahony was replaced by James Horan for the 2011 campaign. Horan had won a Mayo Senior Football Championship with Ballintubber as manager the previous year. After suffering a scare in London in the first round of the 2011 Connacht Championship, Mayo won that years Championship by beating Roscommon in a rain sodden Dr. Hyde Park. Mayo were underdogs going into the All-Ireland Quarter Final against reigning All-Ireland Champions Cork, but won by four points. The Championship ended at the Semi-Final stage with a nine-point defeat to Kerry, but the improved performances augured well for the future. ^[7] Andy Moran was subsequently selected at full-forward on the All Stars team.

Mayo reached the final of the National Football League in 2012, but lost out to Cork 2-10 to 0-11. Mayo retained the Connacht title with wins over Leitrim and Sligo before defeating Down in the Quarter Final. Facing reigning champions Dublin in the Semi Final, Mayo survived a Dublin fightback to win 0-19 to 0-16 and reach their first final since 2006. Conceding two goals in the first eleven minutes, Mayo lost the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final to Donegal by 2-11 to 0-13. Four Mayo players earned All Stars, first timers Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins and Lee Keegan being joined by Alan Dillon for his second.

In 2013, Mayo easily won their third consecutive Connacht Championship, defeating Galway by 17 points, Roscommon by 12 points and London by 16 points, in what was a novel final. They gained revenge against Donegal for the previous year in the Quarter Final, running out winners 4-17 to 1-10. A 6-point win over Tyrone saw Mayo return to the final, this time to face Dublin. A close game saw Dublin win by a single point on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-14.^[8] Higgins and Keegan won their second All Stars, along with a first for Colm Boyle and Aidan O'Shea.

Entering his fourth year as manager, Horan guided Mayo to another Connacht title after wins over New York, Roscommon and a final victory over Galway, 3-14 to 0-16. A one-point win over Cork led to Semi-Final match up against Kerry. A fantastic second half performance led to Mayo leading by 5 points going into the last five minutes, however a Kieren Donaghy goal saw the game end in a draw, 1-16 apiece. Controversially, the replay was fixed for Limerick's Gaelic Grounds due to the unavailability of Croke Park owing to an American Football game taking place there. Another epic match ensued, with the sides once more all square after 70 minutes. Kerry managed to pull away in extra-time, eventually winning 3-16 to 3-13. James Horan stepped down immediately afterwards, having done much to restore the pride to Mayo football, albeit falling just short of winning the All-Ireland. Keith Higgins won his third All Star in a row, with Colm Boyle taking his second and Cillian O'Connor his first.

Mayo began 2015 with new joint managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly. Defeating Galway in the semi-final, a 6-25 to 2-11 win over Sligo saw Mayo win a record-breaking fifth consecutive Connacht title. Another Quarter Final defeat of Donegal saw Mayo matched once more against Dublin in the semi-final. Seven points down with five minutes to go, a Cillian O'Connor penalty helped Mayo force a draw, 1-15 to 2-12. The replay was played at a high tempo, but after an even first half, Dublin pulled away in the second half to win by 7 points, 3-15 to 1-14. Lee Keegan was selected for his third All Star, and Aidan O'Shea for his second. The winter again saw controversy envelop Mayo, as a player protest against the management led to the resignation of the management team of Holmes and Connelly.

Mayo county flag flying on the day of the All-Ireland final in 2017

Stephen Rochford was selected as Mayo manager for 2016, and a poor league campaign nonetheless saw the side stay in Division 1 of the league for an 18th consecutive year. Going for a sixth successive Connacht title, hot favourites Mayo were shocked in the semi-final by Galway, who ran out winners 0-12 to 1-12. However, Mayo battled through the Qualifiers with unconvincing wins against Fermanagh, Kildare and Westmeath to reach a Quarter Final against Tyrone. In a tight game, Mayo won by a point 0-13 to 0-12. Surprise packets Tipperary awaited in the Semi-Final, which Mayo won 2-13 to 0-14 to set up an All-Ireland Final meeting with Dublin. The game ended in a draw, Mayo battled back after conceding two unfortunate own goals from Kevin McLoughlin and Colm Boyle. Cillian O'Connor got a 77th minute equalising point to bring it to a replay, the game finishing 0-15 to 2-09 The replay ended yet another All-Ireland Final defeat by a single point. Cillian O'Connor had the chance with a free to bring the game to extra time in the 76th minute he missed it. It finished 1-15 to 1-14.

It took them eight games to get to the All-Ireland final in 2017. A bad start turned into a rollercoaster, and after their loss to Galway would need extra time in two matches to ultimately end up in the final. After a quick concession of a goal to Dublin, Mayo took grip of the final and were in control for most of the first half, leading by a point at half time. However Dublin bounced back and a late free deep into extra time would see Dublin edge out winners, on a score line of 1-17 to 1-16, beating Mayo by a point for the second year in a row.

Mayo will begin the 2019 Connacht championship against New York the draws for the rest held on 11th October 2018.

All Stars

The annual GAA All Stars Awards recognise the players considered to be the best in their selected positions in the country in any given year. The awards were instituted in 1971 and Mayo's John Carey was among the inaugural selection in that year. Despite winning only two awards in total during their unsuccessful 1970s period, Mayo have been one of the most successful teams nationally in terms of All Star awards gained, with Mayo players winning 42 awards to date. Willie Joe Padden and Dermot Flanagan became the first Mayo players to win multiple awards, both winning their second awards in 1989. Kenneth Mortimer achieved the same feat in 1997, as did James Horan in 1999 and James Nallen in 2004. Mortimer became the first Mayo player to win back to back awards, winning in both 1996 and 1997, a feat matched by Colm Boyle (2013, 2014 and again, 2016, 2017), Lee Keegan (2012, 2013, and again, 2015, 2016) and David Clarke (2016, 2017), and exceeded by Keith Higgins, who completed three-in-a-row in 2014. Kenneth and Conor Mortimer became the first Mayo siblings to win awards when Conor won an All Star in 2006.

Footballer of the Year

The GAA & GPA All Stars Footballer of the Year—known for sponsorship reasons as the Vodafone Footballer of the Year—is an annual award given at the end of the Championship season to a footballer who is adjudged to have been the best in Gaelic football. Players from Mayo have won this twice, with Lee Keegan winning it in 2016 and Andy Moran winning it in 2017, Mayo did not win the All-Ireland Championship in either of those years.

• 2016 - Lee Keegan
• 2017 - Andy Moran

Young Footballer of the Year

The GAA & GPA All Stars Young Footballer of the Year (often called simply Young Footballer of the Year) is an annual award given at the end of the Championship season to a young footballer under the age of 21 who is adjudged to have been the best in Gaelic football. Players from Mayo have won this award more times (4) than players from any other county since the award was instituted in 1997. Both Cillian O'Connor and his brother Diarmuid are the only multiple winners ever of the award, they are also the only set of brothers to win the award.

• 2006 - Keith Higgins
• 2011 - Cillian O'Connor
• 2012 - Cillian O'Connor
• 2015 - Diarmuid O'Connor
• 2016 - Diarmuid O'Connor

Team of the Century and Team of the Millennium

The Team of the Century was nominated in 1984 by Sunday Independent readers and selected by a panel of experts including journalists and former players.^[11] It was chosen as part of the Gaelic Athletic Association's centenary year celebrations. Two Mayo players were chosen on the team. These were Seán Flanagan at Left-Corner-Back and Tommy Langan at Full-Forward.

Similarly The Team of the Millennium was a team chosen in 1999 by a panel of GAA past presidents and journalists. The goal was to single out the best ever 15 players who had played the game in their respective positions, since the foundation of the GAA in 1884 up to the Millennium year, 2000. Both Flanagan and Langan were also selected on this team, occupying the same positions.