They came, they conquered, and they had a mighty fine party to celebrate their only second ever All-Ireland title.
Never before has there been craic like it in Dublin for an All-Ireland final. The capital didn’t know what hit it, and Dorset Street certainly will never be the same again having witnessed a post All-Ireland final party like no other.
Alas we didn’t bring home Sam but, after Mayo, there could be no other winner as deserving as our Donegal friends.
They entertained us with their sing-song jibes before the game and their chants rang out across the hallowed ground of Croke Park as once again the Mayo faithful (and not so faithful - fair weather supporters you might call them ) came to terms with our fate last Sunday.
But Donegal were superb in victory. As ‘The Hills of Donegal’ reverberated around the GAA’s headquarters, bowed Mayo heads departed for our own night of analysis.
Yet strangely, this time there wasn’t the mournful feeling experienced in 2004 and 2006. No, this time there were more positives to ponder.
With the average age of this team a mere 23, the future is bright for the Mayo devoted.
Some said they would never join the scramble for All-Ireland tickets again. But they will. It’s half the fun. And sure it’s no wonder, babies were being offered as payment this year given the number of tickets secured by Donegal fans.
The extent of their support was like a 16th player as they coaxed and cheered and willed their men to victory.
But we didn’t feel that Mayo left it behind. Donegal were simply better. They made the early changes. Kept fresh legs on the field. Those damned goals our undoing. It seemed like Donegal had a year on us in terms of experience.
Surely that means that 2013 is our time to shine. Maybe it is. And what a year that would be for Sam to come to Mayo. The year of The Gathering. The 250th anniversary of the Races of Castlebar. Sixty two years since we last triumphed in this competition. We’ll have our victory dance.
Within minutes of the game starting we found ourselves with seven points down and everything to do. Mayo held their heads and began the fight back, and had clawed back the deficit to just three points at half time. But Donegal were always a step ahead. A few missed chances early in the second half didn’t help. Those who normally pull the strings and dictate the pace of play were shackled.
They knew our game. It was no match for ‘The System’ although many commentators felt that Mayo were the closest team to break down Jim McGuinness’ system this year.
Those blessed goals.
The second one was a complete heartbreaker. Cillian O’Connor was hailed to have dived. Mayo supporters would argue he was fouled and the goal resulted from Donegal’s free.
Our men can never be accused of throwing in the towel. They battled bravely to the bitter end.
It was heart wrenching to see their captain Andy Moran on the sideline with only minutes to go, willing them forward. It was too late however. Donegal just kept coming away with the ball.
We prepared ourselves for the inevitable, the final whistle which holds so much promise and so much devastation.
One wise Donegal man, a long-time resident in Mayo, has prophecised that Mayo won’t win an All-Ireland final until the three O’Shea brothers are on the field together. So that’s the key. Someone better tell James Horan. Forget curses and voodoos and all the other Paddywhackery that people talk about. There’s no curse on Mayo. But there is a lot of talent about to come of age and that, mixed with experienced heads, will be the recipe for Mayo’s ultimate success.
An Seod
Éirigí suas gach duine cóir
Agus seasaigí an fód,
Mar a sheas ár muintir fadó
Ar son chontae ghlas Mhaigh Eo,
Agus imirigí an cluiche mór
Le spiorad spórt ‘s bród.
I ndeireadh lae le cúnamh Dé
Ag Maigh Eo a bhéas ‘An Seod’.
Ó Acaill
