Kerry and Mayo fans Up For The Match as excitement builds in Croke Park on the eve of the football final
Kerry and Mayo fans Up For The Match as excitement builds in Croke Park on the eve of the football final
Up For The Match – Live From Croke Park this Saturday at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
Presenters Jacqui Hurley, Dáithí Ó Sé, Louise Cantillon and three hundred excited Mayo and Kerry fans will be live from Croke Park this Saturday night for Up For The Match – Live From Croke Park. Throw-in is at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Last Saturday, RTÉ’s Up For The Match broadcast live from the home of the GAA, for the first time and this weekend the show is ready to do it all again on the eve of the All-Ireland Final between Kerry and Mayo.
Jacqui Hurley said: “This has been the best football championship in living memory, with more shocks than an electric fence!! I think there’s a part of the whole country that would love to see Mayo finally get over the line and maybe not even the Kerry people would begrudge them one, would they?!”
And Kerryman Dáithí Ó Sé said: “This is going to be a really special one for me as Kerry are in the final and I’ve a few of my heroes coming into studio… Jack O’Shea and Ambrose O’ Donovan to name but two. I’ll have to be on best behaviour and I’ve no doubt but the Mayo fans will be marking me closely… I can’t wait for it!
Louise Cantillon said: “I’ve never had so much fun the night before an All-Ireland Final. Now that Limerick have done the business I can’t wait for the football this weekend. My parents are two very proud Kerry people so I’ll be shouting for the Kingdom and I just know we will have a hooly with all of the fans in Croke Park the night before the game. What a venue and what a way to get set for what’s going to be a cracking final!”
On the show this Saturday, Mayo’s Conor Mortimer and Kerry All-Ireland winner Darran O’Sullivan will look back at the last time Kerry and Mayo went head-to-head on Gaelic football’s biggest day in the 2006 All-Ireland Final.
To get the word on the ground from both counties, Jacqui and Dáithí will be joined by Radio Kerry’s Tim Moynihan alongside his trusty sidekick, All-Ireland winning captain Ambrose O’Donovan. Flying the flag for the red and green are Stephen Grealis from Midwest Radio and one of Mayo’s most loved sons, Martin Carney.
Also in studio on Saturday will be Kerry’s Mick Galwey, former Mayo footballer Pádraig O’Hora, former Mayo captain David Brady and seven-time All-Ireland winner Jack O’Shea.
Comedian Neil Delamere will give his take on all things Kerry and Mayo in two films. Andy Leech, lyricist and musician from the band Le Boom, will guide viewers through the teams’ road to Croker. Plus, social media star Tadgh Fleming and his dad will be chatting to Louise in the bar.
Finally, Aslan will close the show with their classic hit This Is.
Tune in to Up For The Match – Live From Croke Park tomorrow (Saturday) at 9.30pm RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
-ENDS-
Issued: Friday 24th July 2026
For more information: Sarah Neville, RTÉ Communications