Epic Football Championship concludes in welter of excitement
Jack Coyne captained Mayo to All-Ireland SFC glory on Sunday. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Will anybody truly make sense of the 2026 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship? It was simply that uncertain, thrilling, and wild.
Shocks, comebacks, and celebrations were part of the journey. Ultimately, it ended with Jack Coyne hoisting the Sam Maguire Cup in the Hogan Stand on July 27. A 75 year wait terminated by Andy Moran's team, who brought purpose and passion when it was needed most.
That the Mayo trip wasn't without turbulence, merely added to the drama and achievement. It started in Ruislip when a flurry of two pointers were landed against Michael Maher's spirited London.
So, against Kerry, Ryan O'Donoghue and Jack Carney's efforts from distance were critical. It was a string added to Mayo's bow in 2026.
That London match was way back on April 11. In the intervening months plenty occurred. Where to start? A fortnight later when Roscommon, fresh from a trip to New York, stormed into Castlebar, hit Mayo for 2-25 to book a place in the Connacht decider.
Then, in the western showpiece the Heneghans planted goals and Diarmuid Murtagh rifled over seven points to beat Galway. Roscommon were the kings of Connacht again.
On the same day, May 10, in Killarney, Cork posed questions early on against Kerry in front of 32,961. The Munster final, though, concluded with a Kerry victory. Jack O'Connor's charges were coping with an injury crisis, and headed for the All-Ireland series heartened.
The following week featured Monaghan and Armagh in the Ulster SFC Final. It was a chaotic championship, perfectly illustrated by Down's daring display when dethroning Donegal in Letterkenny.
Down, though, suffered a harrowing loss in the penultimate round to Armagh. At the same stage, Jack McCarron's exquisite equaliser against Derry is a cherished moment for many in the 2026 story. Monaghan prevailed after extra-time.
Westmeath manager Mark McHugh talks to his panel at half-time of extra-time in the Leinster SFC Final. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
They caused Armagh problems in Clones too, but Armagh prevailed after extra-time. The Anglo-Celt returned to Armagh.
At GAA headquarters on May 17, Westmeath, generating belief and momentum under Mark McHugh, finished with a real flourish to overcome Dublin. Brandon Kelly was splendid, Senan Baker carried a potent threat, the returning John Heslin supplied leadership, with Matthew Whittaker and Ronan Wallace hugely effective. It was one of the great days for the midlanders.
Ultimately, it meant the All-Ireland series carried intrigue. A new format brought an extra layer of excitement. The Round One draw didn't disappoint.
Donegal beat Kerry by 10 points in the tie of the round, but the 2A and 2B fixtures increased the tempo. Derry, Kildare, Cavan, and Roscommon exited following Round 2B losses.
Round 2A was lively too. Cork registered a surprise and stirring win away to Donegal, while a last gasp Sam Mulroy goal ensured Louth stunned Armagh. Mayo suffered a one point reversal to Tyrone in Omagh.
From here on in, it was knockout fare. Round Three didn't disappoint. Monaghan overcame Westmeath, Kerry struck four goals to end Armagh's interest, and Dublin delivered in style to finish Donegal's campaign. Meanwhile, out west Mayo finished strongly against Meath.
A quarter-final tussle against Cork was next on the agenda for Mayo's blend of emerging and established players. Croke Park was the arena for them. Cork weren't efficient enough early on, and Mayo, with Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald excelling alongside Ryan O'Donoghue, claimed a place in the last four.
Kerry, prompted by the Clifford brothers and Dylan Geaney, survived a terrific Tyrone display. Darren McCurry nailed 10 points in a remarkable cameo, but Kerry held out.
On June 28, Louth, with Dara McDonnell, James Maguire, Tadhg McDonnell, and Ciarán Byrne to the fore edged out Monaghan. That was a compelling contest. Con O'Callaghan and Niall Scully provided the drop of class required as Dublin thundered back in the closing stages to edge out Galway.
Dean Healy captained Wicklow to Tailteann Cup success. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Four teams remained. The first semi-final belonged to Mayo, who cruised to an emphatic success over Louth. O'Donoghue maintained his great form, while McDonald and Jordan Flynn continued to impress.
Earlier that afternoon at GAA headquarters, the Tailteann Cup was raised by Wicklow's totemic midfielder Dean Healy. Oisín McConville's charges certainly enjoyed several come from behind wins in the 2026 edition of the Tailteann Cup.
This was top of the list, and it sparked jubilant scenes at the Jones Road venue.
Fittingly, Healy, who had scored the match altering goal in the Wicklow revival, raised silverware. It was a victory demonstrating the possibilities that exist in sport.
The second All-Ireland SFC semi-final was a gripping encounter. Ger Brennan's resourceful work was reflected as Dublin produced a defiant display. Kerry, though, pounced for two goals courtesy of David Clifford and Seán O'Brien, securing a hard earned 2-18 to 0-20 triumph.
Kerry versus Mayo beckoned. Again. It was different to previous iterations of the All-Ireland SFC Final even though Mayo did trail 1-5 to 0-1 early on following David Clifford and Seán O'Shea's exploits.
Carney and O'Donoghue thumped over crucial two pointers and by half-time the deficit was only one. After the restart, Mayo refused to be denied.
Croke Park rocked when the classy Claremorris forward Beirne struck a goal. Mayo went five clear. Kerry had the gap at two in the last minute when a dashing break away, featuring the splendid McDonald, enabled Tommy Conroy to fist the insurance point.
Sam Maguire returned to Mayo.
