Taoiseach: I’ll be first to invade pitch when Mayo win tomorrow

While his county colleague Michelle Mulherin is unlikely to be there, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has declared he will be the “first to invade the pitch” if Mayo win the All-Ireland tomorrow.

Speaking to reporters in Bratislava last night, after attending a summit of EU heads of state, Mr Kenny revealed that his thoughts are turning to what awaits in Croke Park tomorrow.

Mayo — who hold the record for the most consecutive All-Ireland final defeats and are haunted by a claimed 65-year curse preventing them from winning Sam Maguire — take on defending champions Dublin.

While the odds are firmly in Dublin’s favour, Mr Kenny said he fully believes an upset is on the cards.

“This Mayo team have not played as a team of conviction of winning to this point, but there’s one big game in them and I hope it’s on Sunday,” he said.

“When we win this one I’ll be the first to invade the pitch, 65 years is too long to wait. So we’re going to bring Sam home on Sunday.”