Mayo and Dublin are great rivals. They’re the best of rivals.
Whilst it might feel hollow and empty out west right now, they’ll be back next year and, come August, it will be Mayo and Dublin again looking likeliest to take Sam home with them at the end of the season.
The pair bring the best out of one another. Over 140 minutes of All-Ireland final action, Gaels all over the world were treated to the most exhilarating spectacle that might as well have served as a timeless advert for our special games.
If there were any concerns that football had died, it was hit with electrifying shots through its veins that woke it once more and forced everyone in the vicinity – half interested in the GAA or not – to sit up and take notice.
That was football, that was GAA, that was Ireland at its very. very best
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) October 1, 2016
Mayo and Dublin is a special rivalry.
They’re perfect for each other in every sick way possible. They force one another to be the best they can be and they force one another to bring out the worst in themselves as well.
There might be hatred there but, deeper than that, there’s respect.
All that’s missing from this battle between the two best of our generation is Mayo’s success story. If Dublin weren’t so bloody good, they’d have had a couple by now but the wait goes on, not that it undermines their credentials in any way.
For Andy Moran, it must feel like it will never end.
He’s been on an endless hunt. Seven finals, the Ballaghaderreen man has played in in six different seasons. He’s done more than tasted the steel of Sam Maguire. He’s virtually swigged it in his mouth, threw it around his tongue and between his teeth, gargled it, and spat it back out.
Dublin have denied him now in 2011, in 2013, in 2015 and 2016.
But, at the end of the day, we’re all the same at heart.
Thanks for sharing this @JenningsMartina @galwayad
Beautiful 💚❤💙#DUBvMAYO pic.twitter.com/NN7p4FZmaU— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) October 1, 2016
This beautiful moment was captured afterwards as Moran and his daughter shared a smile with the classy Bernard Brogan.
Bernard Brogan, the same man who has been a nemesis of Mayo and Moran for so long. The same man who, just moments earlier, inflicted further heartbreak on the county.
When it comes down to it, we’re all just Irish people and we’re all just Gaels. This is what the GAA is all about. This is the very best of it right here.
This would break your heart though.
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