Mayo Football Talk

As the dust settles on the first round of the Mayo club championships, we hear from some of the people who were involved across last weekend’s matches and spoke to us after their games had ended.
Mike, John and our roving reporter, Paddy Finnegan were all out and about and spoke to Crossmolina manager, Brian Benson; Paddy Durcan of Castlebar Mitchels; Fintan Forde, one of the Garrymore management team; Westport's Rory Brickenden; Liam Lavin of Aghamore; Claremorris manager Kevin Beirne; and Breaffy manager Seán Deane.

There are so many different perspectives to Mayo's All-Ireland victory and so many fascinating stories to be told.
James Carr from Ardagh is one of the members of the Mayo squad who ticks both of those boxes, being the first man from his club to wear the Green and Red at senior level and the only player from a Junior club to win a Celtic Cross last Sunday week. 
Mike caught up with James to hear about Mayo's season from his perspective, as he reflected on the joy and emotion of bringing the Sam Maguire Cup back to Ardagh, the frustration of being injured for much of the season, the satisfaction of playing his part in Mayo's training sessions during the summer, and the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced on the All-Ireland Final weekend.

Press play, close your eyes and enjoy. There's a host of voices, emotions and stories. Mayo are All-Ireland Champions for 2026. To quote Con Houlihan "all heaven has broken loose."

A huge crowd of Mayo supporters gathered at The Oxford Arms in Camden Town in London on Thursday evening for an All-Ireland Final fundraiser organised by Cairde Mhaigheo London.
Mike was there for MFT to sample the atmosphere and to talk some of the assembled audience, which ranged from seasoned Mayo supporters to young fans who are looking forward to the novelty of an All-Ireland Final after a five-year break.
It was a wonderful evening of chat, craic and camaraderie and a lovely way to start the build-up to the biggest football weekend of the year.

As the countdown continues Billy Joe Padden and Edwin McGreal join Rob Murphy to take a detailed look at what to expect from the game on Sunday week.

The numbers behind Mayo’s forward play, the challenge of the aerial battle with Kerry’s midfield and the monumental task of curtailing their attack.

There are loads of reasons for hope but there is no hiding from the talking about challenges either, as we preview of the 2026 all Ireland final.