After a gruelling schedule of 10 championship matches this summer, including three in as many weeks in the All-Ireland series, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has welcomed the two-week build-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry.

"You’re just working game by game," the Glenties man said in an interview with RTÉ.

"The fact we lost against Tyrone (in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC series), we knew we were going to be out three weeks on the bounce.

"That was going to bring its own challenges and thankfully we got the two-week build up to the semi-final and now to the final so it feels great to have that opportunity, take a breather, to have a step back, get coaching again and prepare the team.

"We’re happy with all that. Obviously when you are in a final you’ve to be very thankful. It’s a very privileged position to be in.

"I’m delighted that the players will get to experience that but hopefully now we want to be in the situation where we make it count."

McGuinness, who led Donegal to their last Sam Maguire Cup triumph in 2012, added: "The challenge is immense in many respects but where would you want to be other than Croke Park on All-Ireland final day?

"Hopefully now they can grasp the nettle and really get after the game, and enjoy the game and enjoy the occasion – don't be overwhelmed but enjoy it and take the positives from all of the other games we’ve played into the match and show their true colours."

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