The trophy presented to the winners is the McDonnell Cup.[2][3]
The winners of the Mayo Junior Championship qualify to represent their county in the Connacht Junior Club Football Championship. They often do well there, with the likes of Kilmeena (January 2022, following 2021 Mayo JFC win), Kilmaine (2019), Louisburgh (2016) and Ardnaree Sarsfields (2015) among the clubs from Mayo to win at least one Connacht Championship after winning the Mayo Junior Football Championship.[4][5][6][7]
Former Mayo manager John Maughan was in charge of Lahardane when they won the 2017 Mayo JFC for the first time and then followed it up with a Connacht title, also in 2017.[8]
^"This weekend's club fixtures". 24 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022. On Sunday, it's the JFC and SFC football finals. The McDonnell Cup decider gets underway at 12.30pm with Jon Finn in charge and that's between Cill Chomáin and Islandeady. The big one – the Moclair Cup decider – follows at 2.30pm when Ballina Stephenites, aiming for their 37th county title, face Westport, who are looking to win it for the very first time.
^"Connacht JFC final: More history for Maughan's men". Irish Independent. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017. Lahardane, who are managed by former Mayo boss John Maughan, won their first ever county junior title last month and now have created their own bit of history by adding the Connacht title as well.
^"Mayo junior football finalists determined on a day when conditions played their part". The Connaught Telegraph. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022. The game needed extra-time to find a winner and at the end of it all, Cill Chomáin – last year's beaten finalists – held on to see off their north coast neighbours by 3-12 to 1-15, the goal that settled it being a penalty scored by Derek Moran right at the end of the first period of extra time.
^"Connacht JFC final: More history for Maughan's men". Irish Independent. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017. Lahardane, who are managed by former Mayo boss John Maughan, won their first ever county junior title last month and now have created their own bit of history by adding the Connacht title as well.
^Henry, Aiden (11 December 2016). "Louisburgh end historic year with more silverware". The Connaught Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2022. After winning the county and Connaught junior titles already, this latest victory brings the curtain down on what has been a magnificent year for the west Mayo club.
^Henry, Aiden (30 September 2018). "Balla end 38-year wait for second junior crown". The Connaught Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2022. It was little wonder there was massive celebrations among the huge Balla after the final whistle as it was way back in 1980 since they last won the title which, in fact, was their first ever county junior championship title.