There is no doubt that Donegal are the favorites going into this final and rightly so. They have taken the scalps of Cork and Kerry and were very impressive in the quality of their football and level of fitness.
Mayo have been very impressive in their scoring ability which they were not noted for in previous championships. They scored the highest score of the championship this year so far in beating Leitrim. The Mayo defence kept Dublin goalless. This is impressive in that Dublin scored two goals in every match to date bar the Laois match where they scored one.
I believe Donegal peaked in the Cork game. I believe Mayo have not peaked yet. Witness Aidan O'Shea coming off in the second half. Mind you he only came back in the second half of the Connacht final after a long injury. However Mayo are the team who can improve the most from their semifinal. If they can keep up the intensity of the first 50 minutes of the semifinal for the full 70 minutes of the final they will win. Not by much but by a goal......the one Donegal will not score!!