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Replying To JimB1991: "Do Kerry have better forwards overall though? They certainly have a couple of star forwards and the man himself but could argue Donegal have a much better spread and balance of forwards, and greater forwad impact of the bench. I'm not sure Kerry playing a slow build up for the entire game would work, 2 pointers could become massive in that type of game and Donegal just have a lot more options in that area.
I get what you're saying and they definetely don't want to be going gung ho and letting Donegal feed off turnovers but they need to mix it up and back their kicking game at times. If quick ball isn't getting kicked into Clifford at all and he has to come out around the arc I think Donegal will be quite happy with that. Eoghan Ban with his pace & power is the ideal 'double up' man on Clifford and him coming out from the full forward line makes that double up easier for Donegal to maintain their shape.
Donegal should try to mix it up a bit too. There best performances this year were first 30 mins of the Ulster final and second half against Monaghan, they mixed it up slightly with some kicking. Obviously Donegal never overdo it on the kicking game but they made it an option." Kerry half back line is strong as donegal possibly donegal forwards may overall have more scoring threat options but still Kerry have potent 4 or 5 players still.
It will be close donegal may start favourites but I wouldn't rule out Kerry even if mc Cole does well on clifford
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 792 - 17/07/2025 13:16:29
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Replying To JimB1991: "Do Kerry have better forwards overall though? They certainly have a couple of star forwards and the man himself but could argue Donegal have a much better spread and balance of forwards, and greater forwad impact of the bench. I'm not sure Kerry playing a slow build up for the entire game would work, 2 pointers could become massive in that type of game and Donegal just have a lot more options in that area.
I get what you're saying and they definetely don't want to be going gung ho and letting Donegal feed off turnovers but they need to mix it up and back their kicking game at times. If quick ball isn't getting kicked into Clifford at all and he has to come out around the arc I think Donegal will be quite happy with that. Eoghan Ban with his pace & power is the ideal 'double up' man on Clifford and him coming out from the full forward line makes that double up easier for Donegal to maintain their shape.
Donegal should try to mix it up a bit too. There best performances this year were first 30 mins of the Ulster final and second half against Monaghan, they mixed it up slightly with some kicking. Obviously Donegal never overdo it on the kicking game but they made it an option." Kerry have some exceptional forwards
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 792 - 17/07/2025 13:17:58
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "Kerry are a completely different animal to Monaghan or Meath, it's a different game now too with the new rules so it's more attacking with more room from the off.
I think Kerry will have no fear of attacking us but they will be very wary of getting turned over with our pace, key for us will be trying to limit the amount of ball David gets, then trying somehow to close him down when he has the ball.
I can't rem the odds in 2014, could have been very similar to what they are now, it will come down to who performs best on the day, also how the younger players handle the big occasion, I have a feeling it won't faze our young lads at all they are so grounded and well drilled.
Can't wait for the game now, very close one to call, should be a good game for the neutrals, a nerve wrecker for me anyway, hope the heart can stick it!" Very fair summary nothing between these two on their best days to me definitely best teams and two great managers with both high football intelligence .
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 792 - 17/07/2025 13:19:25
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Kerry tend to play 3 around the middle to compensate for midfield injuries
Donegal have a fluid - halfback line/half forward line
So you cant compare like with like
but from a pure scoring threat Kerrys options are greater, particularly including the bench (hence the kicking game).
Kerry Forwards
Seán O'Brien; Joe O'Connor (both could be half forwards if D O Connor is fit) Seán O'Shea, Graham O'Sullivan (can ply half back); David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Dylan Geaney.
Subs: Killian Spillane, P Geaney, Micheál Burns, Tony Brosnan
Donegal
Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Ciaran Moore; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.
Subs: Paddy McBrearty, Daire O Baoill can play half forward
Donegal advantage is at halfback - hence the running game.
Donegal have
Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Caolan McColgan;
Subs: Caolan McGonagle, Daire Ó Baoill,
Kerry have
Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Mike Breen, Gavin White;
Subs: Tadhg Morley, Graham O Sullivan can drop back if needed
The two teams have different strengths and they tend to play to them.
One thing Donegal have in Murphy is a target man who could dominate Jason Foley if the ball is kicked into him. Donegal havent done that since the 2012 final - Kerry havent been asked those question yet this year." You're being a bit selective there in who you've included and left out.
Michael Langan is more of a natural forward and much more of a scoring threat than Sean O'Brien, Joe O'Connor or Graham O Sullivan.
Ryan Mchugh and Peadar Mogan could easily line out in the forwards if the need was there.
Niall O Donnell and Jamie Brennan have been regular starters in the forwards in the past, they have only been benched because of how good Conor and Shane O'Donnell have been.
JimB1991 (Donegal) - Posts: 113 - 17/07/2025 14:12:40
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Was just checking the bookies for final.Kerry are very slight favourites with the bookies and Donegal favourites with most of the pundits. That sounds about right as the donegal would be betting much money.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4026 - 17/07/2025 14:28:48
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Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Kerry have some exceptional forwards" David Clifford,Sean O'Shea combined have scored 56% of Kerry total during this championship.
Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3725 - 17/07/2025 14:29:02
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Replying To CiarraiMick: "Was just checking the bookies for final.Kerry are very slight favourites with the bookies and Donegal favourites with most of the pundits. That sounds about right as the donegal would be betting much money." Before im inundated with Donegal response ,my last post is tongue in cheek.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4026 - 17/07/2025 14:31:33
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Replying To Gaa_lover: "David Clifford,Sean O'Shea combined have scored 56% of Kerry total during this championship." Yes and while Donegal have a bigger spread of scorers,we still have a good range too.It has to be said we have been missing Paul Geaney too and he would be in our top 3 scorers.
I think we will see Paul during the final.
Its a very hard game to call and might just come down to a bit of luck on the day.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4026 - 17/07/2025 14:34:24
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Replying To CiarraiMick: "Was just checking the bookies for final.Kerry are very slight favourites with the bookies and Donegal favourites with most of the pundits. That sounds about right as the donegal would be betting much money." Nail on head there.Donegal stiil have their communion money.Sure Jim thinks the trip to croker is too expensive
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 209 - 17/07/2025 14:37:07
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Replying To Fionn: "More waffle from you know who....
Not sure who the hell are your bookies but I checked again and with the 15 different online bookies shown - kerry are favourites with all...
Enough of your nonsense....!!!
Waiting for your guardian angel to re-appear yet again and contradict me.... lol ;o)" Your comment doesn't add up. Donegal clearly pulled up during the league. It was clear after the league that there were at least 7 strong contenders. Tyrone as someone else said were desperately unlucky to lose out on 7 points. Donegal emerged as favourites from the 7.
I expected Tyrone to get past Dublin. I had no doubt about their threat. Tyrone will be disappointed with scores they left behind on Saturday. The scoring by Donegal on Sunday then, well what can anyone say? Three consecutive games scoring for fun.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9006 - 17/07/2025 16:35:30
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Replying To legendzxix: "Your comment doesn't add up. Donegal clearly pulled up during the league. It was clear after the league that there were at least 7 strong contenders. Tyrone as someone else said were desperately unlucky to lose out on 7 points. Donegal emerged as favourites from the 7.
I expected Tyrone to get past Dublin. I had no doubt about their threat. Tyrone will be disappointed with scores they left behind on Saturday. The scoring by Donegal on Sunday then, well what can anyone say? Three consecutive games scoring for fun." When the ball is thrown in in the final it makes no difference who the favourites are. Either team looking for that to motivate them should stay at home.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8170 - 17/07/2025 17:18:42
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Replying To CiarraiMick: "Yes and while Donegal have a bigger spread of scorers,we still have a good range too.It has to be said we have been missing Paul Geaney too and he would be in our top 3 scorers.
I think we will see Paul during the final.
Its a very hard game to call and might just come down to a bit of luck on the day." Not a game for a betting man anyway Mick, it will likely come down to the hop of a ball. we have the hurt of the 2014 final to drive us on I think that regret is still there in the team and supporters even though it's mostly a different team from that day the same manager and our key men in the management team and team itself are still there.
We still feel we left that one behind us so the hunger is there to put that right now we have the chance again. That could be enough to make the difference,
It's all down to fine margins and a bit of luck even either good or bad can decide it.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3357 - 17/07/2025 17:19:40
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Replying To legendzxix: "Your comment doesn't add up. Donegal clearly pulled up during the league. It was clear after the league that there were at least 7 strong contenders. Tyrone as someone else said were desperately unlucky to lose out on 7 points. Donegal emerged as favourites from the 7.
I expected Tyrone to get past Dublin. I had no doubt about their threat. Tyrone will be disappointed with scores they left behind on Saturday. The scoring by Donegal on Sunday then, well what can anyone say? Three consecutive games scoring for fun." 7 strong contenders? Bit of exaggeration there.
Four true contenders before the championship started and that was the four semi-finalists from 2024. Armagh were impressively taken out by your own Kerry and hence why Kerry are now favourites to beat Donegal.
Galway are the seasons big underachiever. Tyrone under a new manager had a lot of improving to do and will be happy to have done that to reach the last 4, they were not a contender this year.
Meath exceeded all expectations to reach the last 4 and won't surprise anyone should they not reach the last 8 in 2026.
Dublins level at the moment is a last 8 team, could probably say the same about Mayo but they haven't reached the last 8 the last two years. Monaghan top 8 at best also currently.
Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 539 - 17/07/2025 17:26:55
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Who gives a b*ll** who is favourites. Kerry are favourites ok but not much between them.It does nt matter a jock.Both teams around the same level.
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 209 - 17/07/2025 17:46:02
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Replying To brayballer: "Nail on head there.Donegal stiil have their communion money.Sure Jim thinks the trip to croker is too expensive" Well you didn't have to spend much money in following Wicklow so your opinion doesn't really matter?
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 671 - 17/07/2025 18:41:55
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "7 strong contenders? Bit of exaggeration there.
Four true contenders before the championship started and that was the four semi-finalists from 2024. Armagh were impressively taken out by your own Kerry and hence why Kerry are now favourites to beat Donegal.
Galway are the seasons big underachiever. Tyrone under a new manager had a lot of improving to do and will be happy to have done that to reach the last 4, they were not a contender this year.
Meath exceeded all expectations to reach the last 4 and won't surprise anyone should they not reach the last 8 in 2026.
Dublins level at the moment is a last 8 team, could probably say the same about Mayo but they haven't reached the last 8 the last two years. Monaghan top 8 at best also currently." An exaggeration?! Was it Donegal, Dublin, Galway and Armagh that were the favourites to get through to the semi-finals?!!! After Donegal won their quarter-final as expected - the other three favourites were knocked out.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9006 - 17/07/2025 18:52:54
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Replying To legendzxix: "Your comment doesn't add up. Donegal clearly pulled up during the league. It was clear after the league that there were at least 7 strong contenders. Tyrone as someone else said were desperately unlucky to lose out on 7 points. Donegal emerged as favourites from the 7.
I expected Tyrone to get past Dublin. I had no doubt about their threat. Tyrone will be disappointed with scores they left behind on Saturday. The scoring by Donegal on Sunday then, well what can anyone say? Three consecutive games scoring for fun." For starters the league form is irrelevant. Kerry are favourites because they are the fresher team. The first real test they had was the Armagh match and it took them 15 to 20 minutes of the second half to take care of them. Against Tyrone again it was a straightforward victory.
Donegal on the other hand have had to come through a gruelling Ulster campaign and because of their Tyrone loss had a tough match against Mayo. They then had routine victories against Louth and Meath.
If Donegal can contain David Clifford reasonably well they have a great chance but that is easier said than done.
It should be a fascinating battle between 2 great teams with 2 astute managers.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 671 - 17/07/2025 18:57:39
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "Not a game for a betting man anyway Mick, it will likely come down to the hop of a ball. we have the hurt of the 2014 final to drive us on I think that regret is still there in the team and supporters even though it's mostly a different team from that day the same manager and our key men in the management team and team itself are still there.
We still feel we left that one behind us so the hunger is there to put that right now we have the chance again. That could be enough to make the difference,
It's all down to fine margins and a bit of luck even either good or bad can decide it." True Tirchonaill..
I can understand Donegals sentiment on 2014 and Jimmy for sure would like to rectify yhat.As for the olayers we still hace 2 left from 14 and Donegal probably 3.
Its def an intriguing final to look forward to.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4026 - 17/07/2025 19:32:35
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "7 strong contenders? Bit of exaggeration there.
Four true contenders before the championship started and that was the four semi-finalists from 2024. Armagh were impressively taken out by your own Kerry and hence why Kerry are now favourites to beat Donegal.
Galway are the seasons big underachiever. Tyrone under a new manager had a lot of improving to do and will be happy to have done that to reach the last 4, they were not a contender this year.
Meath exceeded all expectations to reach the last 4 and won't surprise anyone should they not reach the last 8 in 2026.
Dublins level at the moment is a last 8 team, could probably say the same about Mayo but they haven't reached the last 8 the last two years. Monaghan top 8 at best also currently." Yes expect further surprises and changes next year but extremely hard to go back to back finals. Kerry likely to be there or thereabouts next year but Jack O'Connor could step down win or lose this final. Jim Mcguinness, will he hang around? Michael Murphy and McBrearty around a long time as is Ryan McHugh. But you are right, Dublin, Mayo and Galway should be better. Comer and Walsh ain't getting younger. Conroy could call it quits. Let's see also who Dubs and Mayo get as new management but typically hard to hit ground running. Ironically Meath would have expected to be better next year but this year's championship run may be hard to be repeated. I still expect Meath to have a good league and push for promotion if not get it along with Tyrone. For them return of injured players, plus a few quality additions crucial to strengthen squad. They will likely be 2nd favourites in a tricky Leinster championship but the draw is so important in All-Ireland series plus momentum for any team.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 754 - 17/07/2025 21:41:05
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