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20 Jan 2026
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20 Jan 2026
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Tempers flare in the Super 8s encounter in Castlebar back in 2019
Michael Murphy lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after Donegal's 2012 win over Mayo
September, 2012
All-Ireland final
Donegal 2-11:0-13 Mayo
With the eyes of the nation and indeed beyond zoned in on Croke Park, there just wasn’t the scope for things to turn too sour. There was just too much at stake for both sides.
It was a novel pairing and a huge opportunity for both counties. Donegal were hoping to pick up what would be just a second ever All-Ireland crown while Mayo, well, erm, they were looking to break their duck which, at the time and, in fact, still does, stretch back to 1951.
However, early goals from Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden sent the Ulster champions on the victory path - 20 years after the county's previous Sam Maguire success.
Mayo had fought back and were just 2-4 to 0-7 down at the break. However, Jim McGuinness's Donegal picked things up again in the second half to emerge worthy winners.
It was another one of those days for Mayo and, I guess, from their perspective at least, could probably be described as ‘ugly’.
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