Mayo fans know what heartbreak feels like.
They’ve been to Croke Park enough and come away empty-handed when it often looked for all the world that it was going to be their day. Christ, it seems like that’s all they ever do.
They’ve been through the ringer and, if anyone could offer genuine sympathy to Tipperary fans – not a patronising pat on the back – it’s the folk from out west.
Mayo emerged into the All-Ireland final on Sunday with a five-point win over their Munster opposition. The All-Ireland final. Try telling the lads on The Sunday Game that.
Jesus, lads, Mayo are in the All-Ireland final again – show them some respect https://t.co/zMpr5QQ03V #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2016
Liam Kearns’ side weren’t just numbers though, no matter how many television pundits would make you believe that. They weren’t just a Division Three team – no matter how many times that was pointed out – and they weren’t just this fairytale story.
They’re a good team with good players in a good system and, even when people tried to write them off with six points the margin at half time, they came storming back and made sure at least that the analysis afterwards was that Mayo aren’t good enough. Because they didn’t dismantle a good side in an All-Ireland semi-final.
Tipperary didn't bend the knee because Tipperary football folk are hard as f**k #GAA https://t.co/igXCMFcy1t
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2016
Mayo fans though recognised the obstacle and they respected the men in blue and yellow who fought it out ’til the last with 14 men and with their captain playing with a broken hand.
So, after the game, as the Premier County traipsed out of headquarters for the last time, Croke Park stood to applaud their efforts. Men, women, children, Mayo folk. They all rose to their feet in honour of Tipperary and it was captured brilliantly by Pol Seoige.
This is what the GAA is all about.
Highlight of the #GAA #MAYO #TIPPERARY fans cheering off the gallant performance 💙💛#MayoForSam @SportsJOEdotie pic.twitter.com/Pqk04r6vrE
— Pól ☘ (@poljoy32) August 21, 2016
