“You may think your light is small, but it can make a big difference in other people’s lives”

Another inter county season has ended but it’s just another year where I am proud to say I’m a County Mayo woman. From the pitch black flood lights on a freezing cold night in MacHale Park, heatwave days football in the sun, I wouldn’t want it to be any other way.

There’s no Chloe without Mayo GAA.
These lads have put my blood pressure through the roof, had me crying with happiness and made me proud to have them wear the green and red jersey.
There was many times after games I’d stay back to see who I could meet and every single player I encountered never failed to make my day. At no time was an autograph or pictured denied, even though my hand would be shaken like a leaf.
I started writing to to give back to the players that have made such a positive impact in my life and 2 1/2 years later I’m still doing it.

Apart from the scoreboard rebooting itself against Kerry in the league, it was class to be able to feel part of match day.

We all know the joys of post match traffic in GAA, after I’d get my bits together I’d make my way to the tunnel and be ready to go when my desired player came out of the tunnel, as many Mayo GAA fans have said this year “I’m a great woman for my pictures”.

When I look at my pictures I’ve gotten this year, so many memories I’ll never forget. The fact that Padraig O’Hora remembered me, Paddy Durcan coming over to me, Tommy Conroy signing my jersey no bother and just hearing “hello Chloe” you had a job to wipe the smile off my face.

Whilst I waited for the players I got to meet some old and new faces of the Mayo GAA community. Many knew you were in the right spot when you saw me near and i got many comments of praise talking about my work.

If you had told me a few years ago, a young Chloe who was the definition of an ultimate girly girl that she’d fall in love with GAA, she’d happily laugh in your face, it’s amazing what a few years can do.

My secondary school leaving cert teacher said one thing that’s stuck with me throughout the years “your very good at personal writing”, I don’t know is it because I’m a Virgo or you have a job to shut me up about sport but I will always me so thankful I created my website to give thanks to the lads who’ve made such a positive impact on my life.

Another county season may be over for our lads but that just means I can start looking forward to seeing our lads once again. From bursting into tears in Croke Park after the League Final, getting to tell Jordan Flynn about my website, Fan Girling over Liam McHale, it wouldn’t be right if I wore any other jersey bar the green and red jersey.

I might not be able to justify how thankful I am to our senior footballers for making such a positive impact in my life but I can think we can all agree they have a fair idea.

I’d like to thank everyone who supported my website throughout the year, time to look forward to club season and the Mayo Senior ladies 🟩🟥

Mayo for Sam 2024 💚❤️