All-Ireland SFC SF: Mayo defeat Louth to advance to decider

All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final

Mayo 3-23 Louth 0-15

By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park (GAA.ie)

With a minute remaining, in the upper tier of the Hogan Stand at GAA headquarters, a rendition of the Saw Doctors classic ‘Green and Red of Mayo’ was aired at Croke Park.

It was that sort of encouraging and satisfactory day for Andy Moran’s exciting Mayo team – a place in the All-Ireland SFC Final booked with the minimum of fuss.

There was so much to admire in Mayo’s accomplished performance. A tough tackling defensive unit forced turnovers, industrious displays were delivered throughout the field, and inside Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue, and Kobe McDonald carried a potent attacking threat.

O’Donoghue concluded the contest with a remarkable 1-11 haul, while the talented youngsters Beirne and McDonald scored and probed throughout too.

Louth, so gritty in the 2026 Championship, just couldn’t summon the answers on this occasion. The 2-7 Mayo scored without reply either side of the break was decisive.

Initially, following a Louth point by Dara McDonnell, Mayo pounced for a sixth minute goal. Paul Towey’s pass and a nifty flick from McDonald released O’Donoghue, who made the Louth net dance.

Ciarán Downey replied with a Louth score, but Mayo were causing plenty of difficulties. O’Donoghue, craving involvement was prominent, but Louth did reply.

Downey and Sam Mulroy rifled over two pointers to edge them 0-7 to 1-2 in front, but O’Donoghue was always in the game.

By the 25th minute Mayo were 1-8 to 0-8 ahead, but Louth restored parity as Conor Grimes thumped over a two pointer after a single to ensure the teams were level as half-time approached.

Mayo seized the initiative. A Towey point and an opportunistic Beirne goal ensured Mayo departed 2-9 to 0-11 ahead at the turnaround.

In the third quarter Mayo dictated the agenda to extend the advantage. Substitutes Tommy Conroy, Cian McHale, and Conor Loftus were lively, while Jordan Flynn made a significant contribution.

Moran’s pumped up charges were 2-14 to 0-11 in front when Conroy’s darting run fashioned a chance for Loftus to goal. McHale’s subsequent point had Mayo 13 clear and Louth were in deep distress.

The dynamic Downey terminated a 28 minute search for a Louth score with a point, but that was quickly cancelled out by McHale.

Louth replacement Tommy Durnin and Downey (two pointer) did supply scores in the dying embers, but at the opposite end Mayo continued to enjoy good moments.

O’Donoghue clipped a couple of two point frees, while the splendid McDonald and Mattie Ruane also curled over scores as Mayo finished with a flourish. Another trip to GAA headquarters looms for Mayo in a fortnight.

Louth GAA Player of the Match

Ciaran Downey

11 July 2026; Ciaran Downey of Louth during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Mayo and Louth at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Scorers for Mayo: Ryan O’Donoghue 1-11 (2 2ptfs, 2fs, 1m), Darragh Beirne 1-2 (1f), Kobe McDonald 0-4, Conor Loftus 1-0, Jordan Flynn (2pt) and Cian McHale 0-2 each, Paul Towey and Mattie Ruane 0-1 each.

Scorers for Louth: Ciaran Downey 0-6 (2 2pts), Conor Grimes 0-4 (1 2pt), Sam Mulroy 0-2 (2ptf), Dara McDonnell, Tommy Durnin, and Ciaran Keenan 0-1 each.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Tohy, Jack Carney; Sam Callinan, Paul Towey, Jordan Flynn; Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue, Kobe McDonald.

Subs: Tommy Conroy for Towey (HT), Conor Loftus for Coen (42), Cian McHale for Beirne (50), Fenton Kelly for McGreal (55), Mattie Ruane for Flynn (62).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Donal McKenny, Daire Nally; Conal McKeever, Dara McDonnell, Craig Lennon; Conor Early, James Maguire; Kieran McArdle, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes, Ciarán Keenan, Ciarán Downey, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Tadhg McDonnell for Lennon (23), Ciarán Byrne for Keenan (40), Tommy Durnin for Maguire (46), Conall McCaul for Grimes (53), Anthony Williams for McKeever (62).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).