Aidan O'Shea: 'It's an unbelievable feeling'
Mayo's Aidan O'Shea lifts the Sam Maguire Cup following the 2026 All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
For more than a decade and a half, Aidan O'Shea has represented Mayo. It has been some adventure.
So, to climb the Hogan Stand steps as an All-Ireland SFC winner mattered deeply to the Breaffy clubman.
O'Shea has enjoyed thrilling victories and dealt with harrowing losses. Sunday July 26, 2026 will linger in the mind forever.
Throughout the years, O'Shea believed that possibilities existed. "The reality is I knew Mayo would win the All-Ireland whether I'd be in the room or not, I didn't know," O'Shea says.
"I know the quality in Mayo, it's about kind of harnessing everything in one direction and we give ourselves a chance.
"It's not like this is out of the blue, we've had decent players over the years and come up short in big games. I knew that it was going to happen.
"Obviously, it has taken a long time, but we can talk about something different now, Mayo are All-Ireland champions 2026, can never take that away.
"I'll be able to walk into the Hogan Stand there and look to my left and Mayo will be there in 2026, it's an unbelievable feeling."
Mayo footballer Aidan O'Shea and manager Andy Moran pictured with supporters at CHI Temple Street Hospital on Monday morning. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
O'Shea highlighted the value of the Mayo panel and those who served as players and managers. "It's not about me," O'Shea says.
"It's genuinely not about me. It's never been about me. This is all about that group there - Mayo people. When we came in, when James (Horan) came in, all those years ago we were all about trying to drive and change the narrative about Mayo people and Mayo football.
"We did that to a certain extent, but we never got over the line. It's something that I was hell-bent on doing when I was a young fella growing up.
"I wanted it to be different, I wanted us to be taken seriously as a football county. I knew All-Irelands would come.
"As I said, I wasn't sure it was going to happen in my time. It's never been about me. It's always been about the greater good. To be able to be part of it."
Monday afternoon's train journey back west will be special. A party awaits in Castlebar. "I just can't wait," O'Shea says.
"It's going to be an explosion. Mayo people can stand tall, they won't be bowing their heads. They'll be able to look people in the eye for the first time in a long time.
"I think we shy away from things from time to time. I like to think I haven't shied away from things. I hope Mayo people are infectious about it now, they’ve waited a long time to enjoy this moment. Hopefully, they'll stand tall for the winter and enjoy themselves."
