Armchair swallow that I am, I take all this with a grain of salt. On paper, Donegal are favourites by virtue of putting out the holders and sealing the deal the year before. What persuades me otherwise is the Mayo games, the flexibility afforded by the Kerry bench and the ability Kerry have to score from distance.

What will Donegal do? Close down Donaghy. Block defend. Break swiftly and rampage up the middle. Will it work? Early goals will help. Swift interplay and changing the point of attack repeatedly may also be needed. If Sheehan was on song fully, aggressively shutting down Kerry shooters at or beyond the forty wouldn't be such an easy option. Kick outs too will be crucial for Donegal as Moran is on fire.

Are Kerry overconfident? No. In deference to what Donegal did two years ago and have already done this year. The memory of the last final they had with an Ulster team still rankles. They need to play smart and hard. They know that this could easily go either way. Let's hope the game itself is as good as the denis. Football needed that...and... we should all be thankful as a result.

plike (Kerry) - Posts: 569 - 04/09/2014 09:41:24    1647780

Where is the evidence that Fitzmaurice tolerates disrespecting Donegal? Results matter. They have done their talking on the field. Kerry must do likewise. They don't like the northern way so the best thing to do is beat it on the field of dreams.Kerry and Donegal fans will have great craic together come what may.

plike (Kerry) - Posts: 569 - 04/09/2014 09:46:22    1647782

Won't watch it, will look at Sunday game highlights. Donegal will win.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4955 - 04/09/2014 09:58:28    1647794

plike
County: Kerry
Posts: 102

1647782
Where is the evidence that Fitzmaurice tolerates disrespecting Donegal? Results matter. They have done their talking on the field. Kerry must do likewise. They don't like the northern way so the best thing to do is beat it on the field of dreams.Kerry and Donegal fans will have great craic together come what may.

Seriously?

There are none so northern at the moment as kerry. Their swarm defending and hardness in the tackle has been taken to a new level this year in kerry. I also think that kerry's tackling v mayo was borderline every time. This works brilliantly when you get away with it. But you run the risk of coming up against a ref that is a stickler for the rules, and then you are in bother.

I am sure kerry will be sore after losing all ireland finals to armagh and tyrone, but it really doesnt mater to mcguinness about revenge etc. It is all about tactics on a given day. It will be no different on sunday fortnight. It will be as if this is our first ever game against kerry. Will be very interesting to see how it pans out. Not more than 2 points at the end of it either way methinks.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3853 - 04/09/2014 10:04:46    1647799

I reckon we are into for a great All Ireland final. Kerry have to be given massive credit for getting to the final, management have did a good job. I stand to be corrected but this Donegal team will not be stopped in just over two weeks. They strike me as a group on a mission, people are talking about last weeks tactics but JMG will have a system for Kerry, the kingdom are a great footballing county but in the modern era they have struggled in All Ireland finals when the opposition have no fear and this Donegal team will not fear Kerry after beating Dublin.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 04/09/2014 11:08:55    1647834

I hope and think that this Kerry team a year short of where they want to eventually be. I know Kerry have the tradition, players etc but would Kerry fans agree that seeing their team in the final this year is a small bit surprising? Everything considered, with the players who have retired and the unfortunate injury to the best player in Ireland I think Fitzmaurice has done a fantastic job. I think I actually predicted on another thread a couple of months ago that Kerry would win the All Ireland next season with a fully fit Gooch and possibly Tommy Walsh back in the fold.

All that said, they are in the final on merit and finals are there for winning so Fitzmaurice will have his charges well up for this one and I'm sure they'll be delighted going in as slight underdogs. Make no mistake Donegal are in for a serious challenge if they are to come out on top here. But I have great confidence that McGuinness will leave nothing to chance. We also have some players who could possibly bow out after this game. I'm thinking big Neil, Kavanagh, McFadden to name but a few so the determination to secure only our third All-Ireland remember, will be fierce. Some people have intimated that Donegal might have played and won their final by beating Dublin but I don't think that notion is correct. Most of the boys were back at work on Monday morning from what I hear.

On the game itself I'd agree that it'll be very tactical and could come down to the fact that we're slightly more battle-hardened. I can see O'Donoghue being forced to roam out the pitch to seek clean possession whereas the McGees will love anything booted in on top of Donaghy. At the other end Mayo's relatively limited forward line caused Kerry plenty of bother over the two games. I'd feel confident that our forwards can make hay there with possibly a blockbuster goal or two from Murphy or McFadden being the difference at the end.

I have no doubt that getting nearer the game I'll have become a nervous mess and will be frantically be revising this opinion! But for now I'll go with a score line of Donegal 2-12 - Kerry 0-15

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9869 - 04/09/2014 11:44:26    1647845

I am really looking forward to what should be a fascinating tactical battle between these two teams. Kerry will not approach this game with the cock sure overconfidence of Donegal's last opponents, and Fitzmaurice will have to come up with a plan to curb Donegal's counter attacking style. Overall, I think this game will hinge on Donegal's ability to combat a higher calibre of footballer than they have encountered so far this year, in particular, the threat of Donaghy and O Donoghue up front.

bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 04/09/2014 12:18:47    1647869

From the Media hype and the over confidence of Donegal fans it looks like Donegal are going into this one as the favourites and Kerry will hvae the underdog label.

The cocksure attitude of Jim and the boys will not help their cause in a final that Kerry really need to win.

I can see the Kingdom nicking this one.

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 04/09/2014 12:58:42    1647885

Unfortunatley lads I think we have seen the best two games of 2014 last weekend. I'm predicting a final that won't be as exciting for the neutral as last weekend. Kerry and Mayo both went for it and the fact it remained close meant it was always exciting but looking at the game again it was riddled with mistakes and bad shooting. In the other game it was the fact that Donegal came from behind to beat Dublin that was the biggest excitement for the neutrals and the fact we done it with some style was the bonus.

Kerry won't leave the back as open as Dublin and it won't have went unnoticed that we have struggled to get past two defensive teams in Monaghan and Armagh. Kerry will set up to play on the counter and look to launch high balls to Donaghy or low balls to O' Donoghue on the break. You just don't know how Donegal will set up but if they set up similar they could cancel each other out leading to a low scoring war of attrition like the Armagh game. Primary posession from kick outs and turnovers will be crucial. Kerry will have the bit between their teeth after the weekend and the confidence will be at an all time high going into the final. The worry for Donegal would be that some of the players will feel that the job is done and Mc Guinness will have a massive job to lift the players to play at a higher level for the final.

Our performance in the final of 2012 was not as good as in the semi so hopefully we can lift the team again in 2014.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 04/09/2014 13:22:21    1647900

Re:
cacsmckilly
County: Tyrone
Posts: 952

1647885
From the Media hype and the over confidence of Donegal fans it looks like Donegal are going into this one as the favourites and Kerry will hvae the underdog label.

The cocksure attitude of Jim and the boys will not help their cause in a final that Kerry really need to win.

I can see the Kingdom nicking this one.

Put the rod away!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9869 - 04/09/2014 13:37:33    1647908

As a summer fan only, I am out of my depth. That said, I agree that Kerry are swarming like never before and that that works when the ref plays it that way. A few Kerry defenders might have had black cards against Mayo. Hopefully, the final will end with a full set of players on the pitch.

I don't get the Dublin performance. Screwed up goal chances. Abandoning the long kicking game. Near panic towards the end. Donegal won't be so lucky next time. As for Kerry, they need to look at the second final with Tyrone. They anticipated what would happen but didn't vary or try to control the play. Cavanagh burnt them badly that day. Out thought & out fought.

Kerry will probably score more points. Donegal may get a goal or two. The referee needs to make it clear early what he expects and what he will put up with. A low scoring game. Not equal to the the semis. Kerry to nick it.

plike (Kerry) - Posts: 569 - 04/09/2014 13:41:35    1647909

Donegal abroad.Why should a Tyrone man be jealous of an inferior footballing county like Donegal...perhaps you should research the
number of all-Ireland titles won at all levels by Tyrone before you speak.

tyronetaffe (Tyrone) - Posts: 45 - 04/09/2014 13:43:45    1647910

Some bitter men on here re: Donegal's blanket defense. Donegal scored 3-14 against Dublin (ie. 23 points) If a team is putting up big scores like that and can defend as well as Donegal can at the same time, should they not do it!?? Or would people just prefer that they attacked well and defended less well!??? Donegal are super fit and attack and defend as a unit.... everyone is a defender when they don't have the ball and everyone is an attacker when they have the ball... they have unbelievably team spirit and their execution in the tackle is second to none. I would love to know why people have a chip on their shoulder about Donegal's so called system!?? Or are people still stuck in 2011 when Donegal were still in the early development stages under McGuinness and weren't as attacking!??

As regards Kerry, you can never right Kerry off, they have unreal tradition and the best player in the country at the minute in James O'Donaghue. They were extremely physical against Mayo and tackled and battled really hard for each other and they are extremely clever and cute in possession and with their tactics and match ups.

For me the game will be won and lost in the midfield sector (it will be a huge battle between David Moran and Neil Gallagher)and also whoever handles the occasion better, breaking balls and the will to put your body on the line will be key in my opinion as I don't think there will be much in it.

Because of Kieren Donaghy's performance in the 2 games against Mayo, Kerry can't really justify dropping him, but if he plays and Kerry kick high ball into him it will suit Donegal with 1 or both the McGee's breaking the ball from behind him and Paddy McGrath and Frank McGlynn hovering up the breaks in front of him.

Kerry are a first half team and usually blitz teams in the first half. If Donegal can go in level or ahead at half time, Kerry are in trouble, but if Kerry build up a lead there are few better teams at defending a lead and Donegal will be in bother. No doubt the referees performance will also play a role in deciding who comes out on top, but I'm expecting a very close and entertaining game with some hard hitting from the kerry boys to try and disrupt Donegal.

A tentitive verdict for Donegal if McFadden has another good game, which hopefully he will have now his confidence is back after the Dublin game.

thechairmanseat (Donegal) - Posts: 23 - 04/09/2014 13:53:04    1647914

The Tyrone posters are finding themselves in a very tricky situation with this game between Kerry and Donegal, we know the history between Kerry and Tyrone and we also know how Tyrone feel about donegal, especially this Donegal for whom they have not been able to beat...... It's probably one of those games that you hope both teams lose

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 04/09/2014 14:10:07    1647923

I think it's fair to say most Kerry fans did not expect to be in an A/I final this year.
considering the players that we have lost through retirement & injury.

Eamon is the manager of the year in my opinion, to take a team hammered at home to Cork in the league
to being one step away from Sam is remarkable.

I expect Kerry to do there homework and get there match ups correct.

Regarding the starting team I feel it will be based on form in Killarney and it not last weekend.

I feel that Kerry who lost to Donegal in 2012 in awful circumstances ( conceded a goal from a sideline ball )
will win on the Day.

One final point delighted we can wear our traditional colours on the day.

Up the Kingdom

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 04/09/2014 15:07:02    1647952

Tyrone Taffe,

You's are the only county is Ulster who love getting the support of other county in the province when you're doing well, but when you's are struggling like you are now, you's begrudge every other Ulster county.

On your own!

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 04/09/2014 15:37:38    1647973

westkerry - come on now - granted it was a lucky enough goal but it came at the very start of the game and you had plenty of time to pull it back if your were able to. You were beaten fair and square on the day after a tough battle. Expecting another very tough game in the final and it's hard to call - will be all on the day as usual.

supporter (Donegal) - Posts: 205 - 04/09/2014 15:53:05    1647983

Donegal_abroad
County: Donegal
Posts: 303

1647973 Tyrone Taffe,

You's are the only county is Ulster who love getting the support of other county in the province when you're doing well, but when you's are struggling like you are now, you's begrudge every other Ulster county.

On your own!

I dont think Tyrone are jealous of Donegal, there is no mistakening that Donegal are a better team than Tyrone at present and im glad to see them represent Ulster and to be doing so well. But we certainly dont like it either when counties get carried away in their own hype. Tyrone won 3 All Irelands with the same team, if this Donegal team wins Sam 2014, you'll have to do it all over again just to match Dooher and the boys.. cant see that happening.

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 04/09/2014 15:57:33    1647987

The Tyrone posters are finding themselves in a very tricky situation with this game between Kerry and Donegal, we know the history between Kerry and Tyrone and we also know how Tyrone feel about donegal, especially this Donegal for whom they have not been able to beat...... It's probably one of those games that you hope both teams lose

Not me personally, have nothing against Donegal whatsoever. My mother's side of the family is from Donegal anyway. Also yeah Donegal have had our number in the last few years but who hasn't unfortunately (actually, Roscommon).

MichaelO (Tyrone) - Posts: 820 - 04/09/2014 16:03:24    1647992

Tyrone won 3 All Irelands with the same team, if this Donegal team wins Sam 2014, you'll have to do it all over again just to match Dooher and the boys.. cant see that happening.

Eh, I think Donegal have other things to worry about right now, let's be honest, we're not that relevant at the moment. Sucks but it is what it is.

MichaelO (Tyrone) - Posts: 820 - 04/09/2014 16:04:44    1647993