Jack McCaffrey was one of the last to leave the grassy field of Dr Hyde Park last Sunday, after braving the sea of selfie-hungry fans. As he made his way to the changing rooms, he stopped for a moment to share a chuckle and well-wishes with Kevin McStay. McStay even jokingly asked when McCaffrey would retire, which McCaffrey met with hearty laughter as he continued on his way.
Despite McStay’s perceived grumpiness on television after the match, his jovial banter with McCaffrey showed a more upbeat spirit. The disappointing result was the only tarnish to his day, since his team hadn’t been defeated. Mayo, had in fact only suffered one defeat in their last six championship games, that loss coming from a far-reaching free in the final moments of the Connacht final.
However, Mayo is not a team that is easily given a break. The team ruefully faces a paradox: their supporters’ loyalty must be hard-won, but it is also their adversity that earns them support. Around half of the 16,870 ticket holders at last Sunday’s game at the Hyde were presumably Mayo fans. Their performance that day guaranteed their support at Castlebar would exceed 8,000.
“Inspiring, they’ve revived my belief!” exclaimed a proud Mayo follower I bumped into recently. Though not surprising to McStay and his team, such sentiments might leave them somewhat perplexed. They may be left wondering exactly what faith needed rejuvenating.
Is it possible that they could clinch the All-Ireland title? Such high expectations are surely beyond even the most recklessly hopeful followers of Mayo. To reach the semi-finals, Mayo must first overcome Derry, followed by either Armagh, Donegal or Kerry the next week. Having experienced severe blows in the recent two quarter-finals of All-Ireland, they suffered a 12-point blow by Dublin the previous year and an 8-point loss against Kerry in 2022. It seems unrealistic to pin hopes on Mayo for a Sam Maguire Cup run. That sort of optimism is, after all, at least two weeks away- and even then, perhaps a month, if it happens at all.
So, what to believe? What kind of faith should a draw with the Dubs have sparked? Hope that they aren’t just runners-up, or that they aren’t hopeless? If these are the thoughts that Mayo followers have clung onto, they haven’t been paying much notice.
Many teams have their limits—and it’s no secret that Mayo have hit theirs in multiple public instances. However, they’ve repeatedly demonstrated that they are among the exclusive group of teams that have a minimum standard.
In the past dozen or so years, Mayo has never failed to be ranked amongst the top six teams in the country. It’s an unusual year when they don’t make the top four. Only Dublin and Kerry can be reliably included in this elite group. Perhaps Tyrone could squeeze in? But certainly none from the remaining Ulster teams, nor Galway for that matter.
This anomaly is what sets Mayo apart. They are often the brunt of jokes simply because they always manage to claw their way back into the competition eventually. Other teams rise and then vanish, nursing their injuries privately while readying themselves for the next effort. Mayo, in contrast, repairs the railway while laying new tracks ahead, resolutely moving forward.
Their followers are well aware of this. They don’t have many misconceptions about what they’re supporting. And, it’s worth noting, they see themselves as pragmatic in their expectations. They don’t anticipate a shot at the Sam Maguire Cup every year. However, they seldom hesitate to show their support and see where the journey leads.
The relatively poor audience turnout at the recent Dublin game is something the McStay team would likely take issue with. Yes, the availability of more games than in the past to attend is undeniable. Also, it’s no secret that supporting a team comes with financial demands. Yet, this game was hosted in a neutral location west of Shannon, amidst a championship where the Mayo team has been demonstrating competent gameplay. They’ve seen worse times, without the dilemma of wondering if they had fan support.
Now they face Derry, a match-up they would’ve probably preferred to avoid. Add to this, their game is slated for Saturday evening — certainly not an ideal timing. Still, they’re finding their stride and are still in the battle, at least for the next weekend.
The popular Twitter/X account @RefComeOn, championed by Mayo fans, managed to encapsulate the situation. Responding to a post announcing Dr Norah Patton of Ballina – destined to be Ireland’s pioneering astronaut – the renowned Ah Ref! made a poignant remark:
“Just think, in 1951 who would have thought we could propel a Mayo woman into space before securing another All Ireland victory”.
Thankfully, Dr Patton’s space journey isn’t slated until at least 2026.
So, the journey continues for the team.