Description

The Green Above the Red by Terry Reilly and Ivan Neill is a comprehensive illustrated history of Mayo GAA football, first published in 1985 by Western People Ltd.

The book traces the development of Gaelic football in County Mayo from its early formation in the late 19th century through to modern competitive success in the mid-1980s. It highlights the county’s deep connection to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and its enduring sporting identity symbolised by the green and red county colours.

A major focus of the book is the documentation of Mayo’s championship journey, including senior, minor, under-21, national league, and schools-level successes. It provides detailed accounts of key matches, team line-ups, scorers, and memorable performances across different eras.

The book is also rich in visual material, featuring rare photographs of players, teams, and historic matches, many of which were not previously published elsewhere. These images help preserve the visual history of Mayo’s sporting culture.

Key themes include:

• History of Gaelic football in County Mayo
• Early GAA development and local club formation
• All-Ireland and National League campaigns
• School and underage football achievements
• Key players, managers, and historic teams
• Match reports and sporting archives
• Overseas exhibition matches (USA tours)
• Cultural identity of Mayo through sport

Beyond match statistics and results, the book places Mayo football within a wider cultural and social context, highlighting how deeply Gaelic games are embedded in community identity across the county.

It also references the broader historical significance of the GAA in Mayo, linking sport with national identity, local pride, and historical memory. The narrative reflects how football became a central part of social life in rural and urban Mayo alike.

Overall, The Green Above the Red is considered an important reference work for GAA historians, Mayo supporters, and Irish sporting archives, preserving decades of Gaelic football history in one illustrated volume.