Donegal v Kerry - 2025 All-Ireland Football Final

[greatpoint]

O'beaglaoich has been very important this few years. Plenty of fires to put out for Donegal but then I guess same for Kerry.

I would have Kerry favourites. Honestly think 2014 was one that Donegal really should have been winning, and they lost it tactically really, so I wonder how that sits with mcguinness.

There was nothing won or lost tactically in 2014. The game was chaotic from the start, with both teams making countless errors throughout. Kerry scored two fortuitous goals and showed marginally more composure in the second half. I think they deserved to win but there was nothing in it and it certainly was no tactical masterclass.   

There are many misconceptions about that game still floating around 11 years later but the full match is there to watch on YouTube.

[Dun Eile]

Not where it counts in the big games however.


McHugh, McBrearty and Murphy only ones with connection to 2012 AFAIK. You can say semi final last year and this year but Kerry much more seasoned.

McHugh wasn't involved in 2012

[Dun Eile]

O'beaglaoich has been very important this few years. Plenty of fires to put out for Donegal but then I guess same for Kerry.

I would have Kerry favourites. Honestly think 2014 was one that Donegal really should have been winning, and they lost it tactically really, so I wonder how that sits with mcguinness.

There was nothing won or lost tactically in 2014. The game was chaotic from the start, with both teams making countless errors throughout. Kerry scored two fortuitous goals and showed marginally more composure in the second half. I think they deserved to win but there was nothing in it and it certainly was no tactical masterclass.   

There are many misconceptions about that game still floating around 11 years later but the full match is there to watch on YouTube.

Kerry played Donegal at their own game. Donegal couldn't break Kerry blanket defence.

[Dun Eile]

Have my money where my mouth is from Semi final winnings [donegal -3] [kerry-4].

Kerry -2 for Sam

Reasons : kerry are possessed this year. Their defence is underrated.

Despite some injuries they have some depth.

Really rate Dylan Geaney over Paul tbh despite him being raw.

Patton is vulnerable. Gallens form not great but semi will help him.

Kerry much more experienced side. Expect a less heralded player to produce a big display.

Shall wait and see what the Guru comes up with, kerry will take some beating.

Kerry tactical fouling high up the pitch allows bodies to get back behind the ball. Will Cawley be brave enough to blow closed fist tackles by O'Shea and Clifford's?

[greatpoint]

O'beaglaoich has been very important this few years. Plenty of fires to put out for Donegal but then I guess same for Kerry.

I would have Kerry favourites. Honestly think 2014 was one that Donegal really should have been winning, and they lost it tactically really, so I wonder how that sits with mcguinness.

There was nothing won or lost tactically in 2014. The game was chaotic from the start, with both teams making countless errors throughout. Kerry scored two fortuitous goals and showed marginally more composure in the second half. I think they deserved to win but there was nothing in it and it certainly was no tactical masterclass. 

There are many misconceptions about that game still floating around 11 years later but the full match is there to watch on YouTube.

Kerry played Donegal at their own game. Donegal couldn't break Kerry blanket defence.

They had 12 scores to Kerry's 11 and missed their goal chances. Kerry scored their goals off a deflected point attempt and a freak kick out error.

Again, the full match is there to watch.

[Olly]

What colours of jersies will be used here. I'm told that both counties wear the same colours and that will be totally confusing for people with colour problems, blind, or black and white tvs. I think it would be a magnificant gesture if a neighbouting county lent one of them their jerseies for the day.

[Captain Obvious]

O'beaglaoich has been very important this few years. Plenty of fires to put out for Donegal but then I guess same for Kerry.

I would have Kerry favourites. Honestly think 2014 was one that Donegal really should have been winning, and they lost it tactically really, so I wonder how that sits with mcguinness.

There was nothing won or lost tactically in 2014. The game was chaotic from the start, with both teams making countless errors throughout. Kerry scored two fortuitous goals and showed marginally more composure in the second half. I think they deserved to win but there was nothing in it and it certainly was no tactical masterclass. 

There are many misconceptions about that game still floating around 11 years later but the full match is there to watch on YouTube.

Kerry played Donegal at their own game. Donegal couldn't break Kerry blanket defence.

They had 12 scores to Kerry's 11 and missed their goal chances. Kerry scored their goals off a deflected point attempt and a freak kick out error.

Again, the full match is there to watch.

The 2nd goal was a pure gift to Kerry and proved to be the difference in the end.

[blanketattack]

Not where it counts in the big games however.


McHugh, McBrearty and Murphy only ones with connection to 2012 AFAIK. You can say semi final last year and this year but Kerry much more seasoned.

McHugh wasn't involved in 2012

Should say 2014 I presume.

2014 final was brutal.
Kerry missed all round them, got 11 scores out of 32 opportunities. Missed at least 2 gilt edged goal chances.
Donegal weren't at the races at all.

[Armagh18]

Have my money where my mouth is from Semi final winnings [donegal -3] [kerry-4].

Kerry -2 for Sam

Reasons : kerry are possessed this year. Their defence is underrated.

Despite some injuries they have some depth.

Really rate Dylan Geaney over Paul tbh despite him being raw.

Patton is vulnerable. Gallens form not great but semi will help him.

Kerry much more experienced side. Expect a less heralded player to produce a big display.

Shall wait and see what the Guru comes up with, kerry will take some beating.

Kerry tactical fouling high up the pitch allows bodies to get back behind the ball. Will Cawley be brave enough to blow closed fist tackles by O'Shea and Cliffords?

If he's strict on closed fist tackles Murphy wont make it to half time.

[tbrick18]

Have my money where my mouth is from Semi final winnings [donegal -3] [kerry-4].

Kerry -2 for Sam

Reasons : kerry are possessed this year. Their defence is underrated.

Despite some injuries they have some depth.

Really rate Dylan Geaney over Paul tbh despite him being raw.

Patton is vulnerable. Gallens form not great but semi will help him.

Kerry much more experienced side. Expect a less heralded player to produce a big display.

Shall wait and see what the Guru comes up with, kerry will take some beating.

Kerry tactical fouling high up the pitch allows bodies to get back behind the ball. Will Cawley be brave enough to blow closed fist tackles by O'Shea and Cliffords?

If he's strict on closed fist tackles Murphy wont make it to half time.

He's the master of the art - and never gets called on it.

I'm torn on this game.
On the one hand Donegal seem relentless at the minute and look like they have the confidence to beat anyone. On the other, they have looked really ordinary at times and even in the Ulster final didn't play overly well. They've had 2 really good halfs of football in the quarter and semi finals but seem slow to get going.

Kerry have been stop start all season, but in true Kerry form didn't really get challenged until the latter stages of the championship. They have that ability to score heavily, have been really strong defensively and have shown depth in the squad while missing players. They have only really shone in the last 2 games too though. Hard to bet against a team with David Clifford who could score 1-6 on a bad day.

It has the makings of a really good game - my head says Kerry by 3 or 4, but I have this niggly feeling that Donegal could sneak it.

[Armagh18]

Have my money where my mouth is from Semi final winnings [donegal -3] [kerry-4].

Kerry -2 for Sam

Reasons : kerry are possessed this year. Their defence is underrated.

Despite some injuries they have some depth.

Really rate Dylan Geaney over Paul tbh despite him being raw.

Patton is vulnerable. Gallens form not great but semi will help him.

Kerry much more experienced side. Expect a less heralded player to produce a big display.

Shall wait and see what the Guru comes up with, kerry will take some beating.

Kerry tactical fouling high up the pitch allows bodies to get back behind the ball. Will Cawley be brave enough to blow closed fist tackles by O'Shea and Cliffords?

If he's strict on closed fist tackles Murphy wont make it to half time.

He's the master of the art - and never gets called on it.

I'm torn on this game.
On the one hand Donegal seem relentless at the minute and look like they have the confidence to beat anyone. On the other, they have looked really ordinary at times and even in the Ulster final didn't play overly well. They've had 2 really good halfs of football in the quarter and semi finals but seem slow to get going.

Kerry have been stop start all season, but in true Kerry form didn't really get challenged until the latter stages of the championship. They have that ability to score heavily, have been really strong defensively and have shown depth in the squad while missing players. They have only really shone in the last 2 games too though. Hard to bet against a team with David Clifford who could score 1-6 on a bad day.

It has the makings of a really good game - my head says Kerry by 3 or 4, but I have this niggly feeling that Donegal could sneak it.

Yeah totally agree. It'll hinge on Clifford, if he plays like he did the last 2 days Kerry should have enough, but if he goes missing Donegal will walk it.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

I have to agree I think Kerry might have too much for Donegal on the day. Too many fires to put out from a Donegal perspective.

Unless Donegal can get totally on top at midfield and stay in the game with 20 minutes to go and their bench might have enough if momentum swings their way.

However my head says Kerry by 5 or 6.

[AustinPowers]

We tend to look at the  most recent match , but  Meath were so poor. Hard to know how good Donegal are from that. They had poor first halves v Louth and Monaghan. Scraped past a  disappointing Mayo. 

Kerry only won by 6 against a poor enough Tyrone, and  only really blitzed Armagh in 15 minutes tbh. 

Something has told me all year Donegal will win Sam. McGuinness's second year, Murphy back. The luck is with them , the draws kind, and Murphy  has been throwing his weight around all year without  being punished. 

So it's Donegal for me. They'll probably fall over the line , but  they'll win somehow. Hope I'm wrong though.

[Captain Scarlet]

I remember one of the Dubs v Kerry finals and poor aul Gooch spent half his day running after Philly McMahon, but the new rules allow Clifford to wait and see what comes his way.
Like most here, I think that Donegal have the legs and the system to deal with him (as best anyone can hope to) but there's others who can do damage. Kerry have more of an edge at the back too. They also have the ability to kick longer than most teams so it might pin Donegal back a bit.

On the flip some of the Kerry forwards will need to do more running towards their own goals than usual. You won't get David Clifford doing it, but Seanie O'Shea and Paudie Clifford might be dragged deeper.
Their fitness is insance and Murphy directing it all on the field is huge. They also can get scores from everywhere and their bench is awesome.

It's going to be brilliant.

[DaleCooper]

Had a good chuckle at Eamon Magee describing how they would take turns on running Paddy Bradley up the pitch. Bradley would be wrecked with each Donegal man saying "again Paddy, again!"


There is something great about brutal training with a group of lads, knowing youre pushing to the limit and beyond. I envy the Donegal lads tbh.