Philly McMahon: Winning would change everything for Mayo - and that's the problem

"Mayo fascinate me. Culturally, they are unique in Gaelic football. Their yearning for the big one is more intense than anywhere else. The whole place, it's on tenterhooks."

"The thing feels like it could either explode into a huge tidal wave of positive energy that lifts the team towards success. Or it could combust and bring it all in on itself and crush everyone. Often, in the same year."

Mayo's football culture is uniquely intense, with the entire county gripped by an almost desperate yearning for All-Ireland success. Under Andy Moran's management, the team has become the most compelling in Gaelic football. The pressure and expectation create an unstable dynamic where the team's trajectory could swing dramatically in either direction. This volatility means Mayo could harness their collective energy into a powerful force driving them toward championship success, or alternatively, the mounting pressure could implode, devastating the entire community. This precarious balance often manifests within a single season, making Mayo's journey unpredictable and culturally significant.

Read at Independent