Off The Ball’s Gaelic Games correspondent Tommy Rooney takes you behind the scenes and inside Croke Park for the “Radio Diary of an All-Ireland Football Final’ — from the pre-match chatter, to the live updates of a thrilling final with Paddy Andrews and James O'Donoghue, as well as words with some of the people who make an All-Ireland final day so special.

Relive the magic of the match itself with The Football Pod in Croke Park and Armagh star Rory Grugan in studio with John Duggan, and then there’s those incredible scenes as Mayo finally win their fourth All-Ireland title, a first in 75 years, as Jack Coyne delivered a speech to match the moment.

Along the way there are brilliant chats from the press box and the tunnel: we hear from Croke Park stadium announcer Jerry Grogan in the players lounge, Sportsfile photographer Piaras Ó Mídheach as he captures the magic, and Mayo legend Cora Staunton in the aftermath. Gaelic Games writer Frank Roche pays homage to a special day at the end. 

(00:00) - 10.00am - All-Ireland final scene set

(01:00) - 10.40am - Newstalk preview in studio with Pat Kenny and John Duggan.

(05:00) - 11.40am - Press box previews: The Ah Ref podcast, Sportfile’s Piaras O Midheach.

(21:00) - 3.05pm - The Football Pod before the All-ireland final with Tommy, Paddy & James.

(43:00) - 3.45pm - Live All-Ireland SFC final updates on Newstalk w/ TFP & Rory Grugan

(01:05:00) - 5.10pm - Mayo win the 2026 All-Ireland, reaction with The Football Pod

(01:06:00) - 5.20pm - snippets of Jack Coynes’s speech as All-Ireland winning captain.

(01:10:00) - 5.45pm - aftermath with Cora Staunton and Jerry Grogan in the players lounge

(01:14:00) - 7:45pm - final reflections with Frank Roche as Mayo get ready to celebrate.

The Football Pod is brought to you with thanks to Movember, Ahead of the Game.