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Replying To yew_tree: "Most years then you know well what I mean. Mayo only been out of division 1 for one year in the last 20 odd years. My point it Mayo winning an All Ireland while a shock it happened this year, is not a shock in terms of a minnow coming out of nowhere.
Counties thinking they can now win Sam because Mayo did yet those same counties never challenge or reach the latter stages is a big fat fetched for me just yet. I may be proved wrong but let's just see. If anyone outside of the usual 5-7 contenders win it it would be an even bigger "shock" than this year." All your life was a daft statement is you meant so.
A minnow won't win the All-Ireland however a team who lost All-Ireland Quarter-final or narrowly missed out on reaching the last 8 can.
It's worth remembering Armagh won it in 2024 and they hadn't played in semi-final before that for 20 years and won from playing in Division 2 that spring.
MayoDan lovely post of ifs buts and maybes but doesn't take away the fact that prior to winning it this year Mayo was not challenging for the All-Ireland in 2022 23,24 and 25. This year was the case that Mayo arguably won the year they least expected to win it.
Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 1026 - 12/11/2026 15:05:48
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Replying To sligo joe: "Well I think the point is obvious, you're point in general (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Mayo were always/regularly competitive and if little things went right their trophy CV would be different. The difference between being in the frame and being truly competitive is the ability to make sure those tight wins , like that semi for Mayo v Dublin are not wasted against an average Tyrone team in the final.
I would say Mayo were a bit farther away from winning Sam in those years than you suggest, lack of belief and lack of a strong bench.
Congratulations to them this year they beat an average Kerry outfit who were lucky to be in the final." I replied to someone who said mayo went from not challenging in 2022-25 to winning Sam in 2026 and that many counties will think they can do similar now.
I pointed out that Mayo were very competitive against the big teams in those years so it wasn't some massive jump this year. We also beat Kerry convincingly in the 2023 championship for example yet people ignore results like that.
MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 591 - 12/11/2026 15:36:00
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Replying To sligo joe: "Well I think the point is obvious, you're point in general (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Mayo were always/regularly competitive and if little things went right their trophy CV would be different. The difference between being in the frame and being truly competitive is the ability to make sure those tight wins , like that semi for Mayo v Dublin are not wasted against an average Tyrone team in the final.
I would say Mayo were a bit farther away from winning Sam in those years than you suggest, lack of belief and lack of a strong bench.
Congratulations to them this year they beat an average Kerry outfit who were lucky to be in the final." Bever easy beat kerry in final. Average or not hard win back back just didn't get going and a few injuries does play a part
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1409 - 12/11/2026 17:10:30
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Replying To MayoDan: "I replied to someone who said mayo went from not challenging in 2022-25 to winning Sam in 2026 and that many counties will think they can do similar now.
I pointed out that Mayo were very competitive against the big teams in those years so it wasn't some massive jump this year. We also beat Kerry convincingly in the 2023 championship for example yet people ignore results like that." That 2023 game v Kerry was a group match and non knock out game so that might suggest why it's ignored by some people.
Knock out games for Mayo before this summer in recent years was well beaten by Kerry,Dublin knocked out at home by Derry who would later got rid of their manager and lost to Donegal in a match they didn't need to win and Mayo got themselves into that mess by losing at home to Cavan.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4114 - 12/11/2026 18:39:18
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Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Bever easy beat kerry in final. Average or not hard win back back just didn't get going and a few injuries does play a part" Kerry arrogance didn't help and was fueled with Kerry hammering Mayo in the league in March. All kerry pundits was showing Mayo zero respect, main focus was getting their captain on the bench to pick up the cup and change David Clifford's number on the back of his jersey. It was pure music to music to Mayos ears
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4114 - 12/11/2026 18:43:54
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Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Bever easy beat kerry in final. Average or not hard win back back just didn't get going and a few injuries does play a part" 2026 was an impressive championship from an entertainment point of view due to the impact of the new rules. However the fancied teams at the start of the championship Kerry, Armagh, Donegal and Galway failed to deliver, leaving a Mayo team that had done their best to be eliminated early on, to pick up the pieces
sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1194 - 12/11/2026 19:21:58
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "All your life was a daft statement is you meant so.
A minnow won't win the All-Ireland however a team who lost All-Ireland Quarter-final or narrowly missed out on reaching the last 8 can.
It's worth remembering Armagh won it in 2024 and they hadn't played in semi-final before that for 20 years and won from playing in Division 2 that spring.
MayoDan lovely post of ifs buts and maybes but doesn't take away the fact that prior to winning it this year Mayo was not challenging for the All-Ireland in 2022 23,24 and 25. This year was the case that Mayo arguably won the year they least expected to win it." How is it a daft statement, do you know their age do you? Challengers doesn't mean being in the final, it means taking on the best teams and running them close, thats what Mayo did.
otgarom (Mayo) - Posts: 38 - 12/11/2026 20:52:50
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Replying To Gaa_lover: "Kerry arrogance didn't help and was fueled with Kerry hammering Mayo in the league in March. All kerry pundits was showing Mayo zero respect, main focus was getting their captain on the bench to pick up the cup and change David Clifford's number on the back of his jersey. It was pure music to music to Mayos ears" I do agree there they were arrogant i wouldnt say it was intentional on players psrt but fell to bit trap also injuries didnt hekp. Its a mix both and Mayp playing well
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1409 - 12/11/2026 23:07:09
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Replying To Gaa_lover: "That 2023 game v Kerry was a group match and non knock out game so that might suggest why it's ignored by some people.
Knock out games for Mayo before this summer in recent years was well beaten by Kerry,Dublin knocked out at home by Derry who would later got rid of their manager and lost to Donegal in a match they didn't need to win and Mayo got themselves into that mess by losing at home to Cavan." Any reason why you ignored the knockout game where Mayo beat Galway in 2023.. the same Galway team that were in the 22 and 24 All Ireland finals.
MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 591 - 13/11/2026 10:12:10
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A lot of revisionist nonsence going on here.
Football has gone through the biggest overhall of its rules ever. Its a different game now. The restructure also has had an effect - there is no handy draw for the provincial winners any more, and losing a provincial final needs immediate recovery.
The teams that adapted to that best were always going to be more successful.
All of the provinical final losers were done and collapsed withing a few weeks
Those that put a lot of stock in winning their province - had nothing left in the tank afterwards.
THose that dissapointed early, has loads of time to recover and make an impact.
Its all about June and July now - anyone who is peaking before then is going to run out of road.
As for styles of play - its all about 2 pointers - kicking them and stopping them
Donegal were trapped in zone defence and cant defend them, nor get up the field fast enough to score enough.
Armagh are way to fond of fisted points.
Galway were in the same mindset as Donegal.
Dublin are afriad to kick 2 pointers and relied on Con way too much are lost because he was on one leg.
Kerry are all about Clifford - just keep him to 1 pointers and they are done
Mayo have had a strong team for years - but were too conservative for the previous 4 years, playing against their natural instincts. They also started 2026 with a plan to run it back with the older lads - got a kick up the hole from Roscommon and had to bring in younger lads (Andy Moran was talking 3 years plans at that point). Three of those young lads are generational talents , stepped in with no pressure and delivered for 8 weeks. Whether anyone admits it or not, Mayos success was based around the production of a full forward line we havent had for 75 years and players who can tackle all day.
They lost the kick out battle, let Kerry go 7 points ahead but worked harder and kicked their scores.
They were also fortunate that Kerry picked a team on reputation not form.
In an 8 week season, its all about form.
But lets be realistic, there will be no All Ireland breakthrough next year for Meath, Cork, Roscommon, Westmeath, Down, Monaghan etc
It will be one of Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Armagh/Donegal/Tyrone. No county outside Dublin and Kerry have won an All Ireland and returned to the final the following year since 2003, so for Mayo to get back there would be a serious achievement.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2059 - 13/11/2026 14:49:23
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "A lot of revisionist nonsence going on here.
Football has gone through the biggest overhall of its rules ever. Its a different game now. The restructure also has had an effect - there is no handy draw for the provincial winners any more, and losing a provincial final needs immediate recovery.
The teams that adapted to that best were always going to be more successful.
All of the provinical final losers were done and collapsed withing a few weeks
Those that put a lot of stock in winning their province - had nothing left in the tank afterwards.
THose that dissapointed early, has loads of time to recover and make an impact.
Its all about June and July now - anyone who is peaking before then is going to run out of road.
As for styles of play - its all about 2 pointers - kicking them and stopping them
Donegal were trapped in zone defence and cant defend them, nor get up the field fast enough to score enough.
Armagh are way to fond of fisted points.
Galway were in the same mindset as Donegal.
Dublin are afriad to kick 2 pointers and relied on Con way too much are lost because he was on one leg.
Kerry are all about Clifford - just keep him to 1 pointers and they are done
Mayo have had a strong team for years - but were too conservative for the previous 4 years, playing against their natural instincts. They also started 2026 with a plan to run it back with the older lads - got a kick up the hole from Roscommon and had to bring in younger lads (Andy Moran was talking 3 years plans at that point). Three of those young lads are generational talents , stepped in with no pressure and delivered for 8 weeks. Whether anyone admits it or not, Mayos success was based around the production of a full forward line we havent had for 75 years and players who can tackle all day.
They lost the kick out battle, let Kerry go 7 points ahead but worked harder and kicked their scores.
They were also fortunate that Kerry picked a team on reputation not form.
In an 8 week season, its all about form.
But lets be realistic, there will be no All Ireland breakthrough next year for Meath, Cork, Roscommon, Westmeath, Down, Monaghan etc
It will be one of Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Armagh/Donegal/Tyrone. No county outside Dublin and Kerry have won an All Ireland and returned to the final the following year since 2003, so for Mayo to get back there would be a serious achievement." Definitely very clear that it is all about coming into form after the provincials and that the provincial winners were maxed out afterwards. Slightly disagree on the provincial losers being done, they still had a kick in them, Cork (beating Donegal), Galway (though very underwhelming on Galways part) and Monaghan all made QFs and Dublin went to a SF they should have won.
Two pointers both defending and taking seems to be the key...but it would be foolish to think if you copy Mayo that will work. A collection of events led to that All Ireland, Andy himself was planning for a provincial title and an AI final within a few years. As you say got a kick up the hole and reset but even then, stumbled past Meath and Cork and if you normally give Kerry that much ball in a final you get punished but they weren't at the pitch. At the same time, Mayo don't win that game without that work rate and willingness to shoot.
For that second tier you mention, would not be expecting an All Ireland breakthrough but most of those should be aiming for SF.
I think Armagh with Rian O Neill back have the right tools to take back Sam but they will need to adjust their style.
FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 653 - 13/11/2026 16:06:08
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "A lot of revisionist nonsence going on here.
Football has gone through the biggest overhall of its rules ever. Its a different game now. The restructure also has had an effect - there is no handy draw for the provincial winners any more, and losing a provincial final needs immediate recovery.
The teams that adapted to that best were always going to be more successful.
All of the provinical final losers were done and collapsed withing a few weeks
Those that put a lot of stock in winning their province - had nothing left in the tank afterwards.
THose that dissapointed early, has loads of time to recover and make an impact.
Its all about June and July now - anyone who is peaking before then is going to run out of road.
As for styles of play - its all about 2 pointers - kicking them and stopping them
Donegal were trapped in zone defence and cant defend them, nor get up the field fast enough to score enough.
Armagh are way to fond of fisted points.
Galway were in the same mindset as Donegal.
Dublin are afriad to kick 2 pointers and relied on Con way too much are lost because he was on one leg.
Kerry are all about Clifford - just keep him to 1 pointers and they are done
Mayo have had a strong team for years - but were too conservative for the previous 4 years, playing against their natural instincts. They also started 2026 with a plan to run it back with the older lads - got a kick up the hole from Roscommon and had to bring in younger lads (Andy Moran was talking 3 years plans at that point). Three of those young lads are generational talents , stepped in with no pressure and delivered for 8 weeks. Whether anyone admits it or not, Mayos success was based around the production of a full forward line we havent had for 75 years and players who can tackle all day.
They lost the kick out battle, let Kerry go 7 points ahead but worked harder and kicked their scores.
They were also fortunate that Kerry picked a team on reputation not form.
In an 8 week season, its all about form.
But lets be realistic, there will be no All Ireland breakthrough next year for Meath, Cork, Roscommon, Westmeath, Down, Monaghan etc
It will be one of Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Armagh/Donegal/Tyrone. No county outside Dublin and Kerry have won an All Ireland and returned to the final the following year since 2003, so for Mayo to get back there would be a serious achievement." Payid was good final i agree they were only 2 playing final wasnt ebough. Sean pshea was injured so also stopped that said mayo were getting jiggery near the end but deserving winners
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1409 - 13/11/2026 16:13:30
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Replying To sligo joe: "Well I think the point is obvious, you're point in general (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Mayo were always/regularly competitive and if little things went right their trophy CV would be different. The difference between being in the frame and being truly competitive is the ability to make sure those tight wins , like that semi for Mayo v Dublin are not wasted against an average Tyrone team in the final.
I would say Mayo were a bit farther away from winning Sam in those years than you suggest, lack of belief and lack of a strong bench.
Congratulations to them this year they beat an average Kerry outfit who were lucky to be in the final." I think all things being equal re funding,home advantage etc that Mayo team would have taken the dubs throughout that era. They would have DEFINITELY notched at least one win over ye. Fobbing it off on a lack of belief or a lack of a bench is disingenuous.
Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 424 - 13/11/2026 19:51:42
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Replying To MayoDan: "Any reason why you ignored the knockout game where Mayo beat Galway in 2023.. the same Galway team that were in the 22 and 24 All Ireland finals." It past my mind. One of the low qualty Galway v Mayo games I've ever watched. Galways cause not helped with injuries. It was no surprise Mayo weren't competitive in the following game.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4114 - 13/11/2026 21:18:17
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But lets be realistic, there will be no All Ireland breakthrough next year for Meath, Cork, Roscommon, Westmeath, Down, Monaghan etc
It will be one of Dublin/Kerry/Galway/Armagh/Donegal/Tyrone. No county outside Dublin and Kerry have won an All Ireland and returned to the final the following year since 2003, so for Mayo to get back there would be a serious achievement.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2059 - 13/11/2026 14:49:23 2700290
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I would give some of the teams you have ruled out as much of a chance as Armagh and Dublin in transition plus remains to be seen where Galway will be under a new manager.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4114 - 13/11/2026 21:22:46
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Replying To Seniorleague: "I think all things being equal re funding,home advantage etc that Mayo team would have taken the dubs throughout that era. They would have DEFINITELY notched at least one win over ye. Fobbing it off on a lack of belief or a lack of a bench is disingenuous." It's not disingenuous. We beat Dublin in semi finals when they had the same, perceived, advantages. Fell down to self belief and streetsmarts on the biggest day. Dublin had it, we didn't.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8798 - 14/11/2026 10:30:09
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The benches were the difference in those Mayo v Dublin games. Dublins bench when you add it up contributed 0-9 in those finals. Mayos bench 0-1. Says it all really
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12323 - 14/11/2026 12:06:56
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Replying To GreenandRed: "It's not disingenuous. We beat Dublin in semi finals when they had the same, perceived, advantages. Fell down to self belief and streetsmarts on the biggest day. Dublin had it, we didn't." Just because ye beat them in the 2012 semi doesn't mean they didnt have any advantages over ye. Teams can lose and still be at a disadvantage beforehand.
Ive great respect for that Dublin team ,brilliant footballers and good sporting players too,but when discussing their track record against Mayo during that era,,it is absolutely disingenuous for their fans not to mention their advantages.
Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 424 - 14/11/2026 12:23:42
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Replying To yew_tree: "The benches were the difference in those Mayo v Dublin games. Dublins bench when you add it up contributed 0-9 in those finals. Mayos bench 0-1. Says it all really" And as Tirawley mentioned, a real lack of quality scoring forwards outside of Andy Moran and Cillian O Connor. Ryan O Donoghue was the man in recent years carrying the can on his own until this years newbies broke through.
FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 653 - 14/11/2026 14:00:16
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Replying To Seniorleague: "Just because ye beat them in the 2012 semi doesn't mean they didnt have any advantages over ye. Teams can lose and still be at a disadvantage beforehand.
Ive great respect for that Dublin team ,brilliant footballers and good sporting players too,but when discussing their track record against Mayo during that era,,it is absolutely disingenuous for their fans not to mention their advantages." Never saw it as Dublin having advantages to be honest.
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12323 - 14/11/2026 14:30:32
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