Mayo finally wins All-Ireland final after 75-year drought; Biden, Carney, and Oasis celebrate
Mayo GAA overcame Kerry in a thrilling All-Ireland Senior Football final, breaking a 75-year title drought. The victory drew congratulations from US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, among others.
After 75 years, Mayo's GAA Senior Football team finally claimed the All-Ireland title on Sunday, July 2026, defeating reigning champions Kerry in a tense final at Croke Park in Dublin. A late point from Tommy Conroy secured the win before a sold-out crowd of 82,300. Mayo's last victory was in 1951, and the county had since lost 11 finals, fueling a legend of a curse placed after rowdy celebrations interrupted a funeral. The last surviving member of the 1951 team, Dr. Mick Loftus, passed away in 2023.
Celebrations went global thanks to Mayo's famous diaspora. Former U.S. President Joe Biden, who has ancestral ties to Mayo, congratulated the team on social media and repeated the chant "Mayo for Sam." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, also of Mayo descent, said he was "proud to have roots in County Mayo." Oasis frontmen Liam and Noel Gallagher, whose mother's family hails from Mayo, both posted their joy. Rugby star Brian O'Driscoll and golfer Shane Lowry also sent congratulations.
On the winning team were half-brothers Kobe McDonald and Jordan Flynn. McDonald, just 18, made his senior debut this year and follows his father Ciarán McDonald, a former Mayo player. "It's surreal," McDonald said. "We don't know how to feel, but we can't wait to celebrate."
