Outside our school, as you may have noticed, we have a big board wishing good luck to the Mayo senior team in their bid to beat our Eastern rivals, Dublin, on Sunday. Nearly every year I have been at this school, I have taken part in Mayo Day where on the Friday before the all anticipated All Ireland GAA final schools around the county of Mayo don their standard uniforms to brandish their green and red glory. Why is this?

It’s because everybody wants Mayo to bring home Sam.

This year Mayo has yet again reached the All-Ireland final. Against Dublin. Again. After last year’s disappointment of two home goals and a dreadful replay after a split decision to change the goalie, the county of Mayo was left in their usual frustrated depression.

However, every year without fail, for the past 66 years, Mayo has dusted themselves off and played with a ferocious determination to reach the final. And every year, fans support them until the bitter end.

Mayo always seems to have constant support, even outside the county. Mayo winning the Sam Maguire has turned into something repeatedly on the brink of grasping but invariably falling short. There is always that undying hope that Mayo will win and shake that so-called ‘curse’ haunting the team since 1951.

You may be surprised to know that for a team so ever present in the top league of the GAA Championships (being present there since 1997), Mayo have only ever won three times – 1936, 1950 and 1951.

Mayo have in recent times become known for their propensity to reach All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Finals only to fall at the ultimate hurdle. According to Mayo’s GAA Wikipedia page, Mayo also hold the record for consecutive losing All-Ireland Senior Football Final appearances—this currently stands at eight. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into nine this Sunday.

Simply the possible reality of breaking that 66-year losing streak is the main reason why Sam returning to Mayo is so important. Can you imagine, people who are 65 years old have not been alive to see Mayo bring home Sam. It’s been that long.

Unfortunately, I do not have a golden ticket that would get me into Croker on Sunday, but I do plan on watching it regardless. Wearing my green and red jersey, surrounded by avid supporters in anxiety filled anticipation, I really hope we beat Dublin. Plus, if we do, we’ll probably get school off on Monday.

Also, may I point out, winning the All-Ireland is so important to Mayo that if we ever do win (everyone pray we do on Sunday) I can guarantee, the county will go into utter shut down.

Many thanks to the author, Maeve Walsh – and, of course, commiserations to all Mayo fans. Interestingly, Maeve wrote this composition piece not even a month ago, and it was full of my corrections in bold. I’ve virtually nothing to add or comment on here. What a difference relentless practice and well taken feedback makes! Great work. You may also like: Complete Guide to Leaving Cert English (€)