Planes, drums and celebrations - a lifetime of memories from Mayo county finals

COUNTY final weekend - the dream destination of every club footballer in Mayo – is upon us. Indeed, on this occasion, the deciders stretch into Monday because of weather warnings, big winds and the torrents of rain expected.

My oldest county final memory comes from the early seventies when I was in a very different MacHale Park watching Kiltane beat Ardnaree in a replayed intermediate decider. Dad was engrossed in the game as his friends from our neighbouring club played their way to victory, but I couldn't take my eyes off the planes that were buzzing around Castlebar Airport behind the stadium.

In the following years we would regularly make the pilgrimage to Castlebar to see big club games and my abiding memories centre around the big drums being played by the bands which marched around before the action began.

Obviously, I wasn't too interested in the football being played if I was becoming fixated with musical instruments or watching planes taking off and landing at the local airport.

Garrymore were regularly on show in the seventies as they enjoyed a golden era. Indeed, their winning streak stretched into the eighties, and on an October day in 1981 the Erris nation decamped to Ballina to watch Belmullet take them on in the final.

I was a student in Our Lady's Belmullet at the time and there was great excitement throughout the barony as the locals prepared for the big game. Of course Willie Joe Padden was the main man but they had a mighty squad full of Barretts, Reillys and so many more.

However, Garrymore never allowed them find their stride that day and the cup went south as Billy Fitpatrick, the Nallys and those mighty men in red won their fifth county crown. Later that season they went on to win the Connacht title and contest the All-Ireland final.

They retained their county title in 1982 when Castlebar Mitchels were put to the sword, but haven't been back in the big time since then.

I can hardly wait to see them lock horns again on Sunday at 3.30pm and it promises to be an intriguing battle.

CELEBRATION TIME

THE best laid plans of mice and men hit a bit of a bump in the road for Ballinrobe and Davitts when their intermediate final was moved from Saturday to Sunday because of the weather. Of course, the decision was correct but one can only imagine the Sunday celebrations the winners would have enjoyed if the game had actually taken place at the original time.

JUNIOR JIGSAW

I'M intrigued by the junior final. Ardagh and Eastern Gaels are currently dreaming of getting their hands on the Pete McDonnell Cup for the very first time. I was fortunate enough to encounter both clubs on the field of battle and those memories will not fade.

As in all clubs, there are outstanding people involved and winning on Sunday will cap everything that's gone before. I can only imagine the celebrations when the final whistle sounds.

THE REFS

A special word for the men with the whistles over the weekend. Liam Devenney, Shane Corcoran, James Regan and Mark Tuffy have been selected to referee the four finals and it's a great honour for all of them. They're fine referees and deserve their day in the sun. I wish them well.

ONE OF THE GREATS

FINALLY, there will be a tinge of sadness in MacHale Park on Sunday. John Regan will not be there. One of the greatest characters of Mayo GAA passed away this week and his beloved Kiltimagh and the entire Mayo world has lost a truly unique man. John was an utter gent. He had a word or a song, or both for everyone. He was kind and funny and had a wonderful way of making everyone feel special.

I was fortunate enough to encounter John on countless occasions and he left a lasting impression each and every time. His likes will not pass this way again. May he rest in peace.