27/07/2026
The Governor-General was honoured to attend the historic All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final in Dublin, where Kerry and Mayo contested one of Ireland’s greatest sporting prizes before over 80,000 fans at Croke Park.
The game was an electric and historic match, with Mayo’s first win in over 75 years, lifting the curse. It was also a lovely connection to the Governor-General’s husband whose Irish story starts in County Mayo.
Hosted by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the Governor-General attended with Australia’s Ambassador to Ireland Chantelle Taylor and met with President of Ireland Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA President Jarlath Burns, reflecting the significance of the occasion in Ireland’s national life.
After the game, the Governor-General was delighted to spend time on the field. There she met player Kobe McDonald who will be joining an AFL club in Australia, and she wished him the very best for his move.
Football holds a special place in both Ireland and Australia, with national codes woven into the fabric of our identity, bringing communities together, inspiring fierce local pride and connecting generations through a shared love of the game. Celebrating one of Ireland’s most cherished sporting traditions is a reminder of the values our nations share: community, resilience, respect and belonging.
Congratulations to Kerry and Mayo on a remarkable contest, and to everyone who keeps the spirit and tradition of Gaelic games thriving for future generations.
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📸 Reposted from Governor-General of Australia