Galway boy (9) to be Mayo's Croke Park mascot
Dublin may be the rip-roaring favourites for Sunday's mouth-watering clash against Mayo, but their footballing neighbours could have a secret weapon that could spell the end of the 65-year drought for The Sam Maguire Cup.
Galway lad Nathan Walsh was chosen from thousands of entries in a competition to carry the flag in front of the Mayo team on Sunday in Croke Park.
Nathan, 9, was born and bred in Galway City but is a huge Mayo fan. His father Declan's family who are die-hard red and green supporters from Ballina are praying that that this tiny brush with the maroon and white following their victory in the hurling after a 29-year hiatus will help push them to glory.
Nathan only learned that he had won the competition when his mom opened the envelope yesterday morning in front of the entire student population at St Nicholas Parochial School in Woodquay.
"Oh my God, he just froze", exclaimed Melat Walsh, who entered her son's picture in the AIB competition. As well as leading the team as flag bearer, the winner gets two All-Ireland final tickets.
"The whole school surrounded him and he then slid under the table screaming. He's crazy about Mayo football. If he's not talking about them, he's drawing pictures of them and including them in any school project."
Melat, a native of Ethiopia, met Declan in Dubai when he was on a holiday and she was working. After 11 years in Galway with a Mayo man, she understands all too well how important the GAA is.
"Declan can't believe he's got these golden tickets. He has gone to lots of the games with Nathan but couldn't get any for the final. Now all they have to do is bring Sam home and he'll have enough material for school projects for years to come."