Paddy Power create Sam Maguire Virgin Mary Apparition

Virgin Mary raises the Sam Maguire

Projected on to the front of Knock Basilica, the 70ft image of Virgin Mary is holding aloft the Sam Maguire in a bid to inspire the Mayo Gaelic football team ahead of the semi final clash with Kerry this weekend. Needless to say, this image will be the centre of many debates. There is little doubt the Catholic Church will not be too impressed to see a bookmaker logo adorning a sacred monument. Mayo could do with some divine inspiration ahead of the clash, rated as solid underdogs to the Munster giants.

Mayo Cursed

Mayo have not had much luck in recent years. In fact, the county has lost 8 All Ireland football finals since 1989. Despite having top talents such as Lee Keegan and Aidan O’Shea in their ranks, the county has continuously come up short. Legend has it that the county has had an aged curse placed on it. This legend dates back 66 years when Mayo last won the Sam Maguire. Supposedly, the team was triumphantly travelling back home from Dublin when passing a funeral. The team failed to pay their respects and have been paying the price since. There is little evidence to back this claim up, but you can’t deny the side has suffered since despite some talented sides. Now Paddy Power have intervened in an effort to rid the team of this curse and help the county to raise Sam once again.

Paddy Power Statement

A spokesperson for Paddy Power, Féilim Mac An Iomaire, said: “As far as I’m aware Jesus’ mammy has never appeared in Dublin, Tyrone or Kerry so she’s definitely rooting for the Green and Red. However, as much as they love her in Knock we reckon they would still rather see Cillian O’Connor raising the Sam Maguire. Mayo’s problems on the pitch seem to stem from the church so the Virgin Mary’s reappearance in the county might be just what this team needs to pop its All-Ireland cherry."

Mayo Up Against It

Mayo are not expected to beat Kerry at the weekend, and even if they do, will go on to face Tyrone or Dublin in the final. It’s fair to say the county could do with some divine inspiration. Indeed, Paddy Power rate Mayo 5/2 shots to beat Kerry at the weekend. On the handicap market, Mayo +2 is 6/5 (at time of writing) and it will need an almighty effort to get one over the Kingdom.

Mayo are 13/2 with Paddy Power to lift Sam Maguire, and with the Virgin Mary on your side, that is not a bad price. Dublin remain strong favourites having won with ease all year in some lesser contests. It would take a brave person to tip Mayo to end 66 years of pain, but Paddy Power are looking to aid their cause.