This weekend, Mayo will make their 10 attempt at winning an All-Ireland Final since they last took Sam Maguire home in 1951.
Support for the county is sure to be at fever pitch by the time throw-in arrives on Saturday but with the Irish diaspora being as vast as it is, that backing won’t be limited to fans in Mayo. In cities and towns over the world, Mayo people will be crossing everything in the hope that they can finally get over the line.
One such city is Chicago, where a giant ‘Mayo for Sam’ display has appeared in lights on the landmark Prudential Building…
The 41-storey building was illuminated by the Chicago Federation of Labor, with the organisation’s President Bob Reiter tweeting: ‘In honor of the fine gentlemen from the County Mayo playing in the All Ireland Game this weekend, we offer this token of appreciation from Chicago’s Unions and the Windy City.’
In honor of the fine gentlemen from the County Mayo playing in the All Ireland Game this weekend, we offer this token of appreciation from Chicago’s Unions and the Windy City. #MayoForSam @MayoGAA pic.twitter.com/w33ROZehBe
— Bob Reiter (@BobReiterJr) December 15, 2020
Of course, the Windy City knows all about ending long sporting droughts, with the Chicago Cubs having won the baseball World Series in 2016 for the first time in 1908, leading to triumphant scenes in the city.
On Saturday, Mayo enter into an All-Ireland Football Final against Dublin for the fourth time in nine years and while no fans will be at Croke Park, it’s clear that the county is being backed from far and wide.
Throw-in for the game is at 5pm on Saturday.
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