All-Ireland football final: Kerry chase 40th title vs Mayo
The All-Ireland football final pits Kerry against Mayo at Croke Park at 15:30 BST, with the Kingdom chasing a record-extending 40th Sam Maguire and back-to-back titles while Mayo aim to end a 75-year wait since 1951 for All-Ireland glory on Gaelic football’s biggest stage. Live score updates, clips and reaction are running on BBC Sport.
Both sides arrive after 10-point championship losses earlier in the season. No team had previously lifted Sam after a double-digit defeat en route, so today’s decider already rewrites that record either way.
Key Takeaways
- Kerry seek a 40th All-Ireland title and consecutive Sam Maguire wins at Croke Park.
- Mayo chase a first All-Ireland since 1951 after 11 consecutive final losses since 1989.
- David Clifford leads the scoring charts on 6-44; Ryan O’Donoghue is second on 2-51.
- Mayo rely heavily on two-pointers; Kerry hold a clear kick-out retention edge.
- Throw-in is 15:30 BST after a minute’s applause for Stephen Gollogly.
Why does this All-Ireland football final matter so much?
A Kerry win would complete ruby celebrations around title number 40 and retain the Sam Maguire. A Mayo win would end a 75-year drought and crown a dramatic 2026 season already packed with extra-time games and narrow margins.
RTÉ Sport’s preview frames the gap plainly: Mayo must be near-perfect, while Kerry have more leeway. Andy Moran’s young group have been told to forget the county’s final baggage and start on “chapter one.”
Who holds the edge between Kerry and Mayo?
Kick-outs look decisive. Kerry retain roughly three from four, with Mark O’Shea the primary ball winner, while Mayo under Jack Livingstone are closer to one from two. Kerry’s preference for a right-flank restart then a left-side switch forces Mayo into a high-energy press.
Kerry’s defence has not conceded a goal since the Donegal thrashing. Mayo’s inside line of O’Donoghue, Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne must shoot with near-perfect efficiency after combining for 5-91 this championship.
Late team news: Tom O’Sullivan replaces Diarmuid O’Connor for Kerry; Paul Towey and Diarmuid O’Connor come in for Mayo. Paul Geaney is fit enough for the Kerry bench.
What should fans watch as the game unfolds?
Philly McMahon expects Mayo to keep it tight early, with the third quarter most likely to open up. Oisín McConville gives Mayo a real chance if their full-forward line hits its scoring average—but questions remain around midfield and defence.
One Clifford goal would equal Mikey Sheehy’s Kerry championship goal record of 29 and also move him past Colm Cooper as Kerry’s all-time championship scorer. For more BlasterPost coverage beyond the pitch, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
RTÉ’s verdict is blunt: Mayo need too many things to go right to cause a shock; Kerry need only to win a few key battles before the streamers fall.