Kerry v Mayo: Triumph, Pain and 'the Curse'
Mayo have not won the All-Ireland title in 75 years, with many attributing the drought to a legendary 'curse'. Kerry, meanwhile, are the most successful county but have also lost more finals than any other.
The All-Ireland final on Sunday sees two legendary counties – Kerry and Mayo – face off. While Kerry lead the roll of honour with 39 titles, they also hold an unwanted record: most final defeats (24). Mayo are third in that list with 16 losses, but their last title came in 1951.
Since then, Mayo have lost 11 finals. The 'curse' story stems from their 1951 victory: on their way home, the team's celebrations interrupted a funeral in Foxford, and a priest allegedly cursed the county not to win while any of that year's players were alive. The last surviving member, Dr Mick Loftus, passed away in 2023.
Mayo have faced Kerry in several finals, losing narrowly in 1997 and 2004. In the 2010s, the teams produced memorable semi-finals. In recent years, Kerry have re-emerged as a powerhouse, led by talents like the Cliffords and Sean O'Shea. Mayo's squad includes survivors of their 2021 final defeat, plus new stars like Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne.
Sunday's final will decide whether Mayo can end 75 years of hurt or Kerry cement their dominance. For one set of fans, it will be a day to remember; for the other, a familiar feeling of devastation on All-Ireland final day.
