Aghamore native pens first book on Mayo's All-Ireland dream in record time

The race to write and publish the first book capturing Mayo's historic All-Ireland football triumph after 75 years in the wilderness appears to have a clear front-runner.

John Gunnigan, the man behind the hugely popular Mayo GAA blog, has moved swiftly to bring his deeply personal account, Keeping the Faith, to readers just weeks after Mayo finally ended their long wait for Sam Maguire.

Gunnigan, an economist based in Dublin and a native of Aghamore, has spent almost six decades following the green and red.

His book charts that extraordinary journey through the heartbreaks, disappointments and unforgettable moments that have defined Mayo football for generations.

The title, Keeping the Faith , was inspired by a banner carried by Gerardine O'Mahony, the wife of the late John O'Mahony, who managed Mayo in their 1989 All-Ireland final defeat to Cork.

Following that loss, Gerardine paraded the banner in Croke Park in an effort to lift spirits and remind Mayo supporters that brighter days lay ahead.

A number of writers are understood to be considering books on the remarkable scenes and emotions surrounding Mayo's long-awaited breakthrough.

But Gunnigan is now firmly in pole position, with Keeping the Faith, published by Mayo Books Press, already available for pre-order less than a month after the county's unforgettable victory.

Gunnigan says the book is much more than an account of Mayo's success.

"While Keeping the Faith is my own personal story of following Mayo, I hope that it's one that other fans will relate to as well," he said.

"We've all travelled that same road, enduring all those crashing lows, enjoying all those wonderful highs, including the best one of the lot last month at Croke Park. This and plenty more besides is recounted in the book."

Getting the book completed and into print so soon after the final whistle has been a demanding undertaking, Gunnigan admits.

But the hectic schedule has also brought its own rewards.

"It's been a busy few weeks but it's been enormous fun too, knowing that all the while I was leading up to the happiest of happy endings," he said.

For generations of Mayo supporters who have endured the near misses and agonizing defeats, Keeping the Faith promises to offer a personal journey through the long road to that moment of glory at Croke Park.