He’s had a mare.
Mayo supporters were lamenting their side’s poor showing in Sunday’s shock All-Ireland round-robin loss to Cavan, with some calling for the end of Kevin McStay’s reign as manager.
It certainly puts a sizeable dent in their title hopes this season, as they look likely to add another year of disappointment and misery to the history books.
But one man from a rival county seemed just as upset as the die-hard fans.
That was Derry-native Joe Brolly, who described on the Free State podcast how the loss affected him.
The All-Ireland winner, turned GAA pundit and social commenter, explained how himself and a friend lost a fair few bob by putting their betting kitty towards an accumulator which included Mayo and Cavan.
Brolly said: “We had a kitty, we’d been really careful with the kitty and I’m the GAA guy, he’s the horses guy. We’re really careful and built up a lovely kitty.
“I said ‘I am telling you every fibre of my being is screaming to me that the Limerick hurlers are going to beat Cork. I said I know this in the way that a man knows when he is in love. I said they’re going to beat Cork, great odds.
“I said why don’t we pad it out, fire in a few more certs he said. We brought the whole package up to 11/1 with Down to beat Clare…Tipp to beat Waterford and then the fourth one. I said come on, there’s absolutely no way that Cavan can beat Mayo in MacHale Park.
“I said it to him, and he said ‘even I know nothing about football and you’re right’. Tick the box off. There they came rolling in, Down slaughter Clare, Tipp beat Waterford, he said ‘fair play to you Brolly’. Limerick are already 1-3 to no score up against Cork, then word comes through from MacHale Park. Cavan are stuffing Mayo. Bloody Mayo.
“I didn’t even tune into Midwest radio for the Mayo game so certain was I.”
