Mayo captain Ryan O'Donoghue lifts Sam Maguire as county celebrates

Mayo defeated Kerry to claim the All‑Ireland football title, ending a 75‑year wait since the county’s last Sam Maguire Cup in 1951. Captain Ryan O'Donoghue lifted the trophy at Croke Park and was later named PwC Footballer of the Month for July.

The victory sparked a series of homecoming events across the county. Tens of thousands gathered at MacHale Park, Ballyhaunis, Ballaghaderreen and O'Donoghue’s hometown of Belmullet, where an open‑top bus parade and a traditional crossing of the Sam Maguire Cup over Corrick Bridge – accompanied by a sudden rain shower – highlighted the emotional celebrations. O'Donoghue said, "It's been unbelievable… when we carried Sam across the bridge it started spitting rain from the heavens."