Mayo's Aidan O'Shea: I could have easily walked away, now I have my All-Ireland medal

18 season into his Mayo career, Aidan O'Shea has won an All-Ireland medal. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Aidan O'Shea said he did not think it would take 18 seasons for him to win an All-Ireland title with Mayo. 

"I can't say I definitely did all the time," O'Shea, who made his debut in 2009, told RTÉ Radio 1 when asked if he always believed the county could get over the line.

"But you've got to keep plugging away. There's been some dark days. Tough performances, personally and team-wise. But I always felt that on a given day, we could definitely do it.

"And look, as I say, look at Kobe McDonald this year, he's been outstanding. Ryan O'Donoghue, the leadership he has shown. I'm just delighted to be part of it. You know, I could have easily walked away four or five years ago, I'm so glad I didn't. Now I have my All-Ireland medal."

O'Shea was an unused substitute in the 1-20 to 1-17 victory over Kerry. 

"The boys were unbelievable," he said. 

"The performance, we were on the ropes in the first half after Clifford's goal. Jack Carney hits an outrageous two. Ryan hits the two. We start tackling, turning the ball over and just started momentum building. And then the boys second half, just unbelievable.

"There's obviously the expression of youth there. Obviously, Kobe, Darragh, Eoin. A couple of 19, 20-year-olds. 

"I think we came in with the mentality 'Why not? Why not Mayo?' When we got back at it, we went at it really hard. We felt we've underperformed over the last couple of years. Look, we've taken a couple of beatings along the way, but we've been improving and improving.

"Mayo always have good players, you just have to believe sometimes."

Asked about the curse and Mayo's 75-year wait to win Sam Maguire, O'Shea said: "As I said to a few of the boys there, 'It's done. We'll never talk about it again'. It's an unbelievable feeling. Look at the Mayo people. This means so much."

O'Shea also paid tribute to the Kerry supporters who remained in the stadium to watch Mayo's celebrations. 

"Obviously, a lot of Kerry blood in my family," said O'Shea. "Married to a Kerry woman. I really appreciate that. I think every GAA fan or supporter appreciates Mayo winning the All-Ireland. It's huge."