'It's just magic' - Aidan O'Shea interviewed on RTE's Liveline after Mayo win Sam
Adian O’Shea says finally lifting the Sam Maguire after 18 seasons with Mayo was ‘just magic’ as he reflected on ending Mayo’s 75 year wait for All-Ireland glory.
After spending 18 seasons chasing an All-Ireland title, Aidan O’Shea says finally getting over the line is “just magic.”
Speaking to RTÉ Radio’s Liveline, less than 24 hours after Mayo’s historic All-Ireland victory over Kerry, Aidan O’Shea reflected on the historic moment.
“It’s not really about me,” he said. “The last few months have been magic and the boys are just outstanding”.
“The young boys who have jumped into the squad and they’ve been a breath of fresh air, and the way they performed yesterday to get us over the line, it’s just magic.”
The Breaffy clubman revealed Sunday’s final was his seventh All-Ireland decider after nearly two decades playing for Mayo.
“This is my eighteenth season...to finally be on the right side of it and bring Sam Maguire into the dressing room and have those special moments with the boys, it’s just magic.”
O'Shea admitted he only began to believe the title was within reach during the closing stages of the game.
"With about five minutes to go, I said to the boys, 'If we don't do anything stupid, which we've done in the past, I think we should be alright.'"
Until the end, he said there were still anxious moments.
"You've got to remember David Clifford's on the field and he kicks an unbelievable two pointer. All of a sudden it starts getting a bit tight. But thanks be to god we saw it out and Tommy Conroy flicked the ball over and chaos ensued."
The 36-year-old also reflected on the significance of finally ending decades of heartbreak that had followed Mayo since their last All-Ireland triumph in 1951.
While he said people outside the county often joked about the infamous "curse", he explained that Mayo players always held deep respect for the 1951 team.
He recalled meeting legendary Mayo footballer Pádraig Carney, known as the "Flying Doctor", during a visit to San Diego.
"I thought about him last night actually when all was said and done... he's more medals than me, but it's nice that I can now say I have one with him."
There’s pictures of them in our dressing room in McHale Park.. It's obviously unfortunate none of them are alive to see today," he said.
O'Shea said he hopes the latest generation of Mayo footballers will inspire young supporters in the same way previous teams inspired him.
“Lets hope it’s not 75 years again, I don’t think it will be.”
When asked if he was relieved he would never again have to answer questions about Mayo's curse and long wait for Sam Maguire to return, O'Shea laughed.
"It'll be no more,” he said.
“It'll be pictures of Kobe McDonald, Ryan, Darragh Beirne and Jordan celebrating with Sam Maguire, and I just can't wait to see that over the next five or 10 years."