US President Joe Biden was keeping an eye on Mayo beating Kerry last Saturday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit of world leaders in Japan.
The news will be a major shot in the arm for the controversial GAAGO streaming service because anyone watching the match in Japan would have to have done so through GAAGO.
And Ballina Mayor, Mark Duffy, believes that the ‘son of Ballina’s latest support could help “the stars align” and at last deliver Mayo the All Ireland this year they so desperately crave.
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Mr Duffy has shown the Irish Mirror the letter of thanks that he received from President Biden this week, thanking him for the Mayor’s hospitality when he visited Ballina last month.
In his letter, the President told Mayor Duffy that he “deeply appreciated” the “kindness and hospitality” shown to him which had “deepened his friendship” with the Mayo town.
President Biden said once again that “it felt like coming home” and he signed off the letter saying: “And as always, Mayo for Sam.”
President Biden is a very busy man, as leader of the free world, and last weekend was no different as he was in Japan for a crunch G7 Summit of the world’s seven most powerful countries in the world’s leaders.
However, a White House source told the Mirror/Star that even when he is engaged in high level diplomacy, he always keeps tabs on his native Mayo’s football team.
When asked if President Biden had watched Mayo triumph against Kerry in their match last Saturday, the source said: “yes, we understand that the President kept a close eye on the game last Saturday.”
Mayor Duffy, an independent councillor on Mayo County Council, formally welcomed President Biden at the historic homecoming gala in Ballina last month.
Last night, he said he was delighted with Mayo’s progress in the All Ireland this year, adding that he hoped Joe Biden’s support would help bring Sam Maguire to Mayo.
Mayo have not won the All Ireland trophy since 1951, with the pain particularly bad in the past 27 years with the Green and Red having lost 10 finals since 1996.
Mr Duffy said: “We know he’s (President Biden) a great supporter and has a keen interest in the team this year, having had both the men’s and women’s teams on the stage with him last month in Ballina.
“Hopefully his support as a son of Ballina, the current manager and his assistant are also from Ballina, as was the manager the last time Mayo won Sam, means the stars might align.
(Image: INPHO/Evan Treacy)
“Hopefully this support might get us across the line this year.”
A spokesman for the GAA told the Mirror/Star they were pleased to hear President Biden may have used their GAAGO streaming service last weekend.
He said: “We are delighted to learn of the President’s ongoing interest in Mayo and in our games and that he’s finding GAAGO as useful as so many other Irish people abroad.
“As seen on the platform on match days, there is nowhere around the world where people are not tuning in.
“That interest and passion is likely to be well served in the weeks ahead as the championships hot up.”
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