To grasp the importance of Mayo’s victory on Sunday, you must return to 1951.
In a world nonetheless reeling from the consequences of the Second World Conflict, Harry S Truman was US president as Chilly Conflict tensions began to rise, whereas Winston Churchill was Prime Minister.
Culturally, Nat King Cole and BB King have been a few of the greatest music artists, whereas Alice in Wonderland and A Streetcar Named Need have been on the massive display.
That 12 months, Mayo lifted the Sam Maguire Cup – the long-lasting trophy introduced to the group that wins the All-Eire SFC – for the third time, but it surely was the celebrations after that precipitated a stir.
As is so usually the case, the gamers loved themselves. However on their manner dwelling they handed a funeral within the village of Foxford, the place an area priest reportedly accused the Mayo group of not exhibiting respect.
As a substitute of stopping and switching off their engine, as would have been the customized in rural Eire on the time, the Mayo occasion continued.
In return, the – legend has it – priest positioned a curse on Mayo, saying they might by no means win one other All-Eire whereas any of the gamers on the panel have been nonetheless alive.
It has by no means been established if the occasion really occurred, however after 11 All-Eire finals got here, went and led to defeat, the parable of the curse grew.
Simply two weeks after their earlier remaining defeat by Tyrone in 2021, Paddy Prendergast, the final participant to characteristic within the 1951 remaining, handed away aged 95.
Two years later, Dr Mick Loftus – the final surviving squad member – died aged 93, however it could not be till this 12 months that Mayo returned to the largest stage in Irish sport.
