Mayo ended a 75-year famine to claim the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title following a 1-20 to 1-17 victory over Kerry, according to Midwest Radio commentators and RTÉ broadcast reports from Croke Park. Ryan O’Donoghue secured the All-Ireland final man of the match award and The Sunday Game player of the season honor after scoring 0-05 and orchestrating a pivotal counterattack that led to Mayo’s lone goal.
Ryan O’Donoghue Wins Man of the Match and Player of the Season
Ryan O’Donoghue earned man of the match and player of the season honors following a standout display in the All-Ireland final, according to RTÉ and Midwest Radio reports. The Belmullet forward contributed 0-05 on the day and finished the championship campaign with 2-51 to his name. Throughout the summer, the 27-year-old switched between positions 14 and 11, harassing Kerry ball-carriers from the front line of attack.
“These are the days we’ll never forget, it’s been a long time coming, a lot of heartbreak but Mayo people are All-Ireland champions again,” O’Donoghue told RTÉ after the final whistle.
Did you know? Ryan O’Donoghue’s run in the final covered roughly 60 yards, beating four Kerry defenders before he delivered a pass to David McBrien, who fed Darragh Beirne for Mayo’s crucial goal, as detailed in match footage shared by The Sunday Game.
The Sunday Game Team of the Year Selections
The Sunday Game panel—consisting of Paul Flynn, Enda McGinley, Cora Staunton, Ciarán Whelan, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, and Mark McHugh—selected seven players from Mayo, four from Kerry, one from Dublin, one from Louth, one from Westmeath and one from Tyrone for the official Team of the Year.
According to the panel selections, Dr Crokes clubman Shane Murphy claimed the goalkeeper spot after recording four clean sheets in eight outings and making a critical close-range save against Kobe McDonald. In defense, Sam Callinan, Jason Foley, Enda Hession, and David McBrien earned selection alongside Louth’s Dara McDonnell, who starred in his county’s run to the semi-finals.
The midfield and forward lines feature Westmeath’s Matthew Whittaker, Tyrone’s Conn Kilpatrick, Mayo’s Jack Carney, Dublin’s 32-year-old Niall Scully, Kerry’s Paudie Clifford, Mayo’s Jordan Flynn, Kerry star David Clifford, player of the season Ryan O’Donoghue, and 18-year-old Mayo newcomer Kobe McDonald, whose impending move to St Kilda in Australian rules football was highlighted by the panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship?
Mayo defeated Kerry 1-20 to 1-17 to claim the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, ending a 75-year wait for the title, according to Midwest Radio and RTÉ.
Who was named man of the match for the final?
Ryan O’Donoghue won the All-Ireland final man of the match award and The Sunday Game player of the season, scoring 0-05 in the decider.
How many players from Mayo made The Sunday Game Team of the Year?
Seven Mayo players were selected for the Team of the Year, alongside four players from Kerry, and one each from Dublin, Louth, Westmeath, and Tyrone.
Join the Conversation
What were your thoughts on Mayo’s historic victory and Ryan O’Donoghue’s phenomenal season? Drop a comment below to share your memories of this unforgettable Croke Park decider.
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