The Mayo effect: Why another great sporting breakthrough could follow

History has shown that breakthrough wins in Gaelic games can inspire others. Could the Galway footballers or the hurlers of Cork or Waterford be next?

Waterford have won the All-Ireland hurling title since 1959. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

When Tommy Conroy fisted that point and then embraced a flood of teammates upon the hooter sounding in Croke Park a fortnight ago, it prompted a universal delight not unlike some of the closing shots of The Truman Show upon Jim Carrey’s character taking his bow and walking through that door to freedom.

Strangers in bars roared and high-fived and hugged each other. Elderly friends and siblings joyfully cried beside each other on couches across the land. Co-workers giddily clasped hands. There was even bound to have been someone somewhere in a tub deliriously splashing the bath water.