Sir, – A week on from the World Cup final, Irish sports fans saw a true spectacle of sportsmanship in action as disappointed Kerry fans remained in Croke Park long after the final whistle to see Mayo lift the trophy after a 75-year wait.
Sport has the capacity to expose one’s true character. It is possible to experience joy and disappointment all at once. Kerry supporters and players demonstrated this with a dignity and integrity sadly lacking among some professionals at the World Cup final.
Sunday was a very special day for Mayo fans as their joy released decades of hurt and heartache. I applaud all the supporters who remained in the stadium despite their own disappointment. – Yours, etc,
EMMA RAUGHTER,
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Castlecomer Road,
Co Kilkenny.
Amateur heroes put so-called professionals to shame
Sir, – Compare Mayo’s historic win to the utter bore-fest we saw in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Sunday’s All-Ireland final was an incredible match that had everything. The passion and skill on show was a joy to watch, giving spectators a contest that was nail-biting for the full 70 seventy minutes.
Mayo have finally got what they rightly deserve for refusing to give up believing their day would come.
The scenes from Croke Park at the end of the match were probably the most emotional we have witnessed in the history of the GAA.
The amateur players from both Mayo and Kerry put professional soccer players to shame. Warriors and heroes playing with pride for their parish, county, families, history and themselves. – Yours, etc,
FINBARR DOLAN,
Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.
Thrilling decider brought 31 counties together
Sir, – After recent wins by Spain and Limerick, I had found myself thinking finals are always a letdown, with the best games generally coming in the run-up to finals. Well done to Mayo for proving me wrong. The 31 counties supporting them brings us as close to a united Ireland as we’ve ever been. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.
Final showcased the very best of us
Sir, – There wasn’t a dry eye in the country on Sunday when Mayo won Sam. I haven’t experienced such emotion since Westmeath won the Leinster final in May.
Sunday showed what life is all about – determination, hard work, hunger, excitement, pride, passion, gratitude, unity across the whole country and true sportsmanship.
The respect shown by Kerry at the end was a sight to behold. Many congratulations to Mayo on a well-deserved All-Ireland. - Yours, etc,
ISOBEL HARRIS,
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath.
Mayo leave doubters eating humble pie
Sir, – Congratulations to Mayo on winning the All-Ireland final. To all the “experts” across the various media outlets who didn’t give them a chance – and there were many – it’s time to reanalyse how you analyse sport. – Yours, etc,
CATHAL O’DONNELL,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
