The All-Ireland football final has wrapped up and while it will be remembered as the day Armagh won their second All-Ireland title and their first for 22 years.
However there's something a bit more unusual that captured the eyes and heart of the nation.
During the first half of the All-Ireland football final between Armagh and Galway many noticed that there was a seagull that was trotting around the pitch, seemingly unable to fly away.
Typical forward ball hanging inside the 21 #seagull #allireland pic.twitter.com/h6Mh6Okgn2
— Róisín Glynn (@RoisinGlynn) July 28, 2024
It was on the pitch for the majority of the first half and there was some worrying stages as the bird got too close to the action and was having to run off to safety.
28 July 2024; Cillian McDaid of Galway during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Thankfully it was able to get off the pitch and was carried away to safety, but not without getting an applause from the crowd at the bottom of Hill 16.
Seagull saved. pic.twitter.com/MVrAlFp7hE
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) July 28, 2024
It may have lasted less than a half but the seagull became a fan favourite across the country. Fans on Twitter provided some interesting analysis and had some fun.
Seagulls first half heat map #Allirelandfootballfinal #ArmaghVGalway #MVP #GAA#NothingBeatsBeingThere pic.twitter.com/LRsHZsvOmX
— Bronagh McGreevy (@BrOnaaghMcG) July 28, 2024
Alright, everyone needs to get on the same page here and convince English people watching football for the first time that the seagull is a traditional part of the game. https://t.co/AWLJgvmTBm
— Dan Mooney (@danielmoonbags) July 28, 2024
#armagh #Allirelandfootballfinal #seagull #gaa pic.twitter.com/mSfeigPiTD
— Fr Ed O'Toole (@EdOToole1) July 28, 2024
There has even been a couple of accounts claiming to be the gull itself.
Great view of #Galway v #Armagh at the #Allirelandfootballfinal
— Croke Park Seagull (@crokergull) July 28, 2024
I don’t know where I am… #AllIreland #GAA
— All-Ireland Final Bird 🕊️ (@AllIrelandBird) July 28, 2024
May the All-Ireland seagull go down in GAA history for its contribution to the sport.
