Longford family with strong Mayo connections celebrate historic All Ireland triumph

Michael Fitzmaurice, born and raised in Longford town on Centenary Square, attended Mayo’s last and historic 1951 All-Ireland win when he was just eight years old and 75 years later he returned to Croke Park with his son Paul and grandson Cillian Dennigan to savour another Mayo triumph | Longford Leader

placeholder image — Michael Fitzmaurice, born and raised in Longford town on Centenary Square, attended Mayo’s last and historic 1951 All-Ireland win when he was just eight years old and 75 years later he returned to Croke Park with his son Paul and grandson Cillian Dennigan to savour another Mayo triumph | Longford Leader

Michael (83), who attended the 1951 All Ireland Final with his dad Gerry and his brother Gerald, returned to Croke Park, this time alongside his son Paul and his grandson, Cillian to witness an historic win for Mayo.

A Longford town man with strong Mayo family connections, who attended Mayo’s 1951 All-Ireland final triumph, returned to Croke Park last Sunday week with his son and grandson for an unforgettable day.

Michael Fitzmaurice was just eight years-old when he attended Mayo’s last All-Ireland win in 1951, with his dad Gerry and brother Gerald and he said the match became a 'cherished lifelong memory'.

Seventy-five years later, Michael (83) returned to Croke Park, this time alongside his son Paul and his grandson, Cillian Dennigan to witness another unforgettable day in Mayo football.

While Michael was born and raised in Longford town on Centenary square, his father hailed from Ballyhaunis, Mayo and Michael was always an avid Mayo supporter.

Michael Fitzmaurice (centre) aged eight in or around 1951 pictured with his brother Gerald and sister Ann | Longford Leader

Michael has since seen his beloved team suffer 11 heartbreaking final defeats before the glorious triumph last Sunday week.

"I was absolutely delighted to be there for the All Ireland.

"There was three generations of the Fitzmaurices there.

"I had a great day, it was absolutely unbelievable.

"I was very emotional and there was some tears flowing."

"The next morning I woke up and I said to my wife Patsy, 'Did Mayo really win the All Ireland!'."

Remarkably, Michael was previously in Croke Park for Mayo's last All Ireland win in 1951.

"We used to go on holiday every year to a place called Bekan outside Ballyhaunis and had a great love for Ballyhaunis and Bekan."

Michael recalls how his parents decided they could not leave him behind after his dad Gerry and brother Gerald got in the car to travel to the 1951 All Ireland final.

"When we got to Croke Park my dad put me up on his shoulders and he carried me in.

"During that time you didn't need tickets and you just walked up and paid on the gate."