1950
Unusual Format
The provincial championship of 1950 had an unusual format, with Mayo receiving a bye into the Connacht final.
Sligo defeated Leitrim 4-5 to 2-3 in a replay while Roscommon had a 0-10 to 1-4 victory over Galway.
In the only Semi-Final polayed,Roscommon scraped through,0-10 to 1-5,after a titanic struggle with Sligo at Ballina.
Mayo were waiting in the wings for the Connacht final on July 16th and in a disappointing game,took the title on a 1-7 to 0-4 scoreline.
The only real talking point from the game were the outstanding displays of Gerry O'Malley,Roscommon and Mick Mulderrig,Mayo.
A 3-9 to 0-6 facile victory over Armagh saw Mayo prepare for the All-Ireland final under the watcgul eye of 1936 All-Ireland stars Jackie Carney and Gerard Courell-the 1 atter also being Connacht Council chairman.
Mayo faced a formidable Louth side that had over come Kerry 1-7 to 0-8 in the Semi-Final.
Captained by Sean Flanagan,Mayo had a nervous start and were further unsettled when star forward Billy Kenny of Claremorris was stretchered off with a broken leg.
As he left the field Kenny encouraged his team mates to lift their game,and this they did, rallying throughout the field to take the title in an electritying encountercon the scoreline 2-5 to 1-6.
The Mayo goals came from Peter Solan and Mick Flanagan with Eamonn Mongey and Mick Mulderrig Scoring two points each and Joe Gilvarry one.
No Preliminaries
With only four teams in the Senior Championship there was no preliminary round.
Champions Mayo opened their campaign with a 3-7 to 1-5 win over Sligo at Ballymote, while in the other Semi-Final Galway defeated Roscommon 2-10 to 1-9.
Tuam hosted the Connacht final on July 15th where there was an attendance of 20,560.
The Mayo scoring machine, with Peter Solan bagging an impressive 3-1,defeated Galway by 4-13 to 2-3.
Partnering Sean Purcell at midfield was former Mayo player John Nallen.
Mayo forwards lost their scoring touch for the All Ireland Semi-Final against Kerry,amassing a total of 22 wides,before a last gasp point by Paddy lrwin earned them another chance.
A crowd of 57,345 was present when Mayo managed to pip the Kingdom in the replay by 2-4 to 1-5.
Another All Ireland loomed and it was little wonder that 78,201 supportersthronged Croke Park to see Mayo defend their title against reigning League Champions Meath.
Sean Flanagan had the honour of captaining two consecutive All-Ireland winning teams,when Mayo brought the Sam Maguire back across the Shannon to an absolutely tumultuous welcome.
All of Connacht was on a high!
The Flying Doctor
Mayo footballer,Paraic Carney,earned the name 'The Flying Doctor'when he travelled from New York twice in the space of two weeks to help his county in the National League Semi-Final and Final.
On arrival from the USA he spent two hours practising frees in the Phoenix Park and this dedication paid off handsomely,his unerring boot boosting the Mayo scoreline and bringing the country its 9th National League title,defeating Carlow 2-10 to 0-3.
Sean Wynne was distinguishing himself as a goalkeeper while Tom Langan's reputation as a full forward continued to grow.
But in the Connacht Championship Langan came up against play-anywhere Sean Purcell at full back and Mayo,many people tip for All-Ireland honours,fell to Galway by 2-4 to 1-5.
Sligo had qualified for the final by beating Leitrim and in Tuam Stadium they put up a tremendous battle,before going down to Galway on a 2-10 to 3-4 scoreline.
Mayo Fit & Eager
Prior to the Connacht Championship its was recognised that Galway were on the slide-a tiring team ready to be axed.
The All-Ireland and Connacht titles were on the line when mayo travelled to Pearse S tadium for the Championship Semi-Final in June 25th.
The biggest crowd ever to attend a GAA fixture in Connacht thronged Salthill and witnessed Mayo's annihilation of Galway by 3-13 to 1-8,having led at half time by 1-8 to 1-1.
Mayo were fit and eager, Galway fired and stale. After half time Galway started with their usual zest but then came a goal from young Seamus O'Dowd after a wondrous solo-run which literally killed off Galway.
All Mayo's team were herose, but man of the match was that beautiful footballer Joe Corcoran, graceful as ever and scorer of some delightful points.it was a sporting game and Galway surrendered their crowns with dignity.
In connacht final in Tuam,Mayo had an easy win over Leitrim by 4-15 to 0-7 with red-haired Willie Loftus the star at midfield and Mick Ruane the brains of the attack. Seamus O'Connor at left full back was consestently outstanding.
For Leitrim,Joe Layden,the captain at full bacl, gave an exhibition of high fielding at its best but by then the great McGarty was nearing the end of his great days.
mayo minors,All-Ireland champions of'66,fell to Roscommon in the Connacht final on the score 2-5 to 1-5.
Path to Glory
Mayo lost the All Ireland Semi-Final to Meath on the scoreline 3-14 to1-14,lacking Meath's great experience of Croke Park and having to start without John Morley,their inspirational captain who had been the key man up to then.
Stillthey enjoyed their to the big time and in SeamusO'Conner and Joe Corcoram had top stars.
Some of Joe Corcoran's points were quite delightful and there were top performances too from Joe Langan,PJ Loftus and John Nealon.
But Meath powered by Jack Quinn deserved their win and went on to defeat Cork in the All-Ireland final.
Better luck was to follow with Mayo's fine U-21 team.
Mayo had quite a number of the 1966 Minor champions in their U-21 - Eugene Rooney,Tom Cafferkey,Seamus O'Dowd,Tom Fitzgerald and burly Jim Smith from Claremorris.
Ontheir path to All-Ireland glory,Mayo defeated Galway in Tuam by 1-13 to 0-5 and then Leitrim in Charlestown 4-14 to 2-3, before overcoming Roscommon (champions) in Castlebar 3-11 to 2-8 in the Connacth final.
Mayo over came Derry 3-9 to 1-8 in the All-Ireland Semi Final before drawing 2-10 apiece,with Kerry in the final in Croke Park.
They then won the replay in Ballinasloe by 4-9 to 1-7, a game that will always be remembered for Willie McGee's 4 goals and Tom Fitzgerald's great display.
The Mayo team had to field without three of their panel who had returned to clerical seminaries,namely JJ Cribben,PJ Golden and Mickie Lally.
There was even more glory for Mayo in 1967 as they also won the Connacht Junior title,defeating Galway 1-11 to 2-5 in the final.