Kerry to wear home kit in All-Ireland final as Mayo set to sport new jersey

Mayo will line out in the alternative gear. 

GREEN AND GOLD: Diarmuid O'Connor and David Clifford celebrates at full time of the All-Ireland semi-final with Dublin. Pic: INPHO/James Lawlor

Mayo will wear a new jersey for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final while Kerry will sport their home jersey following a draw.

The lot was required as Kerry and Mayo’s alternative jerseys are blue and navy. 

Watched by Kerry and Mayo secretaries Peter Twiss and Ronan Kirrane, the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) conducted the formality to see which team would wear their home kit.

A GAA statement read: “As there is a clash between the jerseys and the alternative jerseys, the CCCC held a draw, in the presence of both County Secretaries, to determine which team would wear their traditional jerseys and which would wear their alternative jerseys.

“Based on the draw, Ciarraí will wear their home kit, and Maigh Eo will wear their alternate.” 

Mayo’s second jersey, launched in December 2024, is navy/multi coloured and features a graphic inspired by Croagh Patrick. 

They wore it in last year’s Division 1 final defeat to Kerry, although The Kingdom’s kit has since changed to a darker green and is strikingly similar to Mayo’s.

On Monday, the Mayo County Board contacted the CCCC about wearing a different jersey, details of which are expected to be released by the county in the coming days. 

In their Division 1 game earlier this year, Mayo donned a white kit to commemorate the 75-year anniversary of their 1951 All-Ireland SFC victory.

In the 2004 All-Ireland final against Kerry, Mayo changed to a predominantly red version of their home kit. 

They had worn it in both semi-final games against Fermanagh when there was also a colour clash. Kerry and Mayo wore their home kits in the 2006 decider.

It’s the second final in succession that at least one jersey change has been required – both Kerry and Donegal wore their alternate kits due to the clash of green 12 months ago.

Meanwhile, the Oireachtas Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport committee will meet GAA officials in Croke Park on Wednesday to discuss their demographics report, “Nobody Shouted Stop – Until Now”.

The GAA have already acted on some of the recommendations of the document headed up by Benny Hurl and the TDs and senators will be briefed on the report’s findings and proposals, including the implications for sports infrastructure, planning and the future provision of facilities.

Committee chairman Deputy Alan Kelly said: “As the Oireachtas committee with responsibility for sport, we have a key role in examining the policy challenges arising from demographic changes.

“The title of the report No one Shouted Stop - Until Now - a reference to John Healy’s seminal 1968 work on rural decline - examines how profound demographic changes are reshaping communities across Ireland and the implications for Gaelic games.

“This visit gives the committee an opportunity to engage directly with the GAA on its findings and to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing clubs as communities continue to evolve. We look forward to a constructive discussion on how policy can help ensure that sporting facilities and participation keep pace with Ireland’s changing population.”