Kieran Shannon: Andy Moran showed Mayo how to win an All-Ireland – and the GAA how to be itself again

The Mayo boss has been happy to discuss how he masterminded an historic All-Ireland victory.

The  Sam Maguire Cup visits The Mayo Roscommom Hospice with from left, Cillian O'Connor, Aidan O'Shea, Jack Coyne, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Martina Jennings, Matthew Ruane and Mayo team manager Andy Moran. Photo Conor McKeown

No matter what manager Mayo finally won an All-Ireland under, the outpouring of joy and relief it would inevitably trigger was always going to make it one of the most compelling and uplifting stories Irish sport has known in decades.

And yet now that we’re not dreaming, now that it has actually happened, it has exceeded anything anyone could have envisaged: Supporters, players past and present, media, neutrals, even Kerry folk.