Maria in Mayo!: Former Limerick Leader reporter joins Castlebar party
Kildimo woman rejoices as Mayo break 75-year long curse
A FORMER Limerick Leader reporter was among the more than 60,000 people who packed into McHale Park in Castlebar to welcome home Mayo’s All-Ireland winners.
Maria Flannery is from Kildimo, but her parents are from North Mayo - and it’s always been the big-ball sport which has captivated her.
“We were really reared on Mayo football. We are only recent converts to Limerick hurling because of their resurgence,” said Maria, who now works for the European Broadcasting Union.
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“We were so thrilled,” she smiled, on Monday, in the wake of Mayo’s epic three-point win over Kerry to land Sam Maguire.
Of course, it’s been 75 years since Mayo last landed football’s holy grail - and there have been many agonising misses since 1951.
The disappointment can put a “cynicism” into Mayo fans that many other county suporters may not understand.
“But it’s surreal this has happened finally. Not only for me and my sistrs - it’s out first time seeing our county win in the football - but also for my parents who are in their 60s. It’s their first time as well!”
Maria watched the game at home with her parents Patrick and Mary, plus her 96-year-old grandmother Sarah Leneghan.
“She has not seen one for 75 years. My granddad would have loved it as well. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago, but we'd like to think he would be looking down as well,” she said.
“I believe a lot of people were doing something up there to make it happen!”
Maria travelled to the homecoming in Castlebar with her sister Grace, father Patrick and their friend from Kildimo, Maeve Liston.