Maheady relieved after epic battle with the Gaels

On a sunny July evening in Hyde Park in 2022, James Maheady kicked three stunning points in the All-Ireland minor final. Last Sunday in the mist and rain of Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, the talented attacker split the sticks seven times to help his club to a much-cherished county title.

Maheady is a rare talent. He's unconventional, off-the-cuff and a young man with a twinkle in his eye – just the type of 'different' forward we don't usually grow in Mayo. On Sunday, with the chips down and his ankle in poor fettle he left his spot on the '40, took up station in front of the goal and helped win the game for his beloved club.

“This is the first big win we've had. We came close in underage finals over the years so it's great to finally push through and win one,” he told The Mayo News afterwards. “We put two or three hard months into this with practise two or three times a week, and it's great to see that rewarded here today.

“Mayo Gaels are a very good team with some outstanding players like Ethan Henry, Jack Fallon and Ruairi Keane around the middle. I love playing against good lads like that. That's the reason you play football, to come up against lads like that and test yourself,” he added as a question about goals winning games arrived.

“That's what they say. We were level at half-time because we got two goals and they were crucial. We came out for the second half and wanted to make an impression but they hit us with a goal straight away and we had to battle back again. It was huge battle and if the Gaels had won they'd have deserved it just as much as us.”

Finally, he was asked to describe the long-range point he kicked in the dying seconds to put his side two points clear.

“I knew that wind was behind me and I wanted to send it as long as possible. I think it landed on top of the crossbar and went over. That showed the luck we had today to finally get over the line. We're going to celebrate this one. I don't think I'll see college again before Christmas.”