After 75 years the longest drought in Gaelic football ended on a magnificent day in that cathedral of football Croke Park as Mayo lifted ‘Sam Maguire’ and banished the curse forever! I’ve been attending football games for 60 years in stadiums of iconic status, Parkhead obviously but also the San Siro, Camp Nou, Sevilla, Old Trafford, Wembley, Ibrox, Hampden, Windsor Park, Lansdowne Road/Aviva, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Casement, Clones et al but Sunday seated in the Davin, the old Canal End, it was the most amazing experience and a day to remember. Unfancied by almost everyone, sports journalists, TV reporters, ex players-so called experts, casual observers including myself, Joe Brolly, ‘Up For the Match’ panel, maybe even the Tirconaill Tribune, there was a crescendo of opinion that Kerry would lift their 40th title and Mayo once again would be the bridesmaid. There was one major exception and that was Pat Spillane, former sparring partner of Joe Brolly on the field and the Sunday Game, he predicted correctly that this Mayo team made up of youth and experience had the wherewithal to defeat Kerry, fitter, faster, dynamic in the breaking ball and 3 sharp shooting forwards. And when a man with 8 Celtic Crosses speaks, maybe people should listen?
