"There's a saying in American sports that good forwards or offence wins you games, but good defence wins you championships. We knew we were going to have to start at the back and be much more solid, but at the same time stay loyal to Kerry football."

Eamonn Fitzmaurice took on Donegal at their own game ... and won.

"I'm minding this number 14 and someone else can have it next year. I'm going to be up in the terraces for the next 30 years looking down at other guys wearing it."

Kerry goal hero Kieran Donaghy hinted at retirement in his post-match interview.

"I'll think about my own position. I will think about the players and the squad that we have, do we want to move forward, motivation, family...all these things come into it. And then you make a decision that's right. I don't think today is a day to make any decision, whether you're staying or you're not staying and I've never done that."

Jim McGuinness is also contemplating what the future holds for him.

"There was a lot of tough days. Cork in Tralee in the National League match, that was a very poor performance by the Kingdom. Personally it was a bad day for myself as well. But Eamonn kept us grounded, he inspired us really. It was like playing with a sixteenth man out on the field there today with Eamonn Fitzmaurice."

The wheel has turned full circle for the Kingdom and veteran defender Marc O Se.

"The bottom line is it's 20 years since we won it the last time; a lot of good teams have come and gone since then and haven't won it."

On a day to remember for Kerry football, Jack O'Connor guided the minors to a first All-Ireland success in 20 years.

"It's been a very good season. We won Ulster minor league and championship and it's the first time we got to an All-Ireland final."

Donegal minor boss Declan Bonner focussed on the positives following their defeat.

"Both men are really good guys. I played with Noel and considered him an excellent captain and then played under Pat in 2002, when he was manager. Mayo have got two good men."

James Horan wished his Mayo successors, Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes, the best of luck.

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