Donegal v Kerry - 2025 All-Ireland Football Final

[Tony Baloney]

Very disappointed in Donegal today. From breaking early from the parade(disrespectful to the band and tradition) to not laying a glove on Kerry it was a day to forget.

Kerry however from the first whistle were absolutely superb. Gavin Whyte was incredible. Paudie Clifford was majestic. Joe O'Connor an absolute mountain in midfield. Deserved winners. Best team throughout the Championship by a fair distance.

I was trying to figure out was it disrespect, mind games or just poor preparation. Donegal were still stretching when standing to greet President Higgins. Then went into a final warm up and delayed the start of the parade and had to be called several times. Then after breaking the parade they ran into another huddle before the anthem.

It's Jimmy thinking he's a sports psychology genius (sure he has a book). Late out after HT too. His genius had his team chasing shadows for 70 mins and coached so rigidly they were afraid to throw off the shackles and give it a lash in the last 10 minutes when it was clear 2 or 3 pointers were the only way back.

[Stickittotheman]

Very disappointed in Donegal today. From breaking early from the parade(disrespectful to the band and tradition) to not laying a glove on Kerry it was a day to forget.

Kerry however from the first whistle were absolutely superb. Gavin Whyte was incredible. Paudie Clifford was majestic. Joe O'Connor an absolute mountain in midfield. Deserved winners. Best team throughout the Championship by a fair distance.

I was trying to figure out was it disrespect, mind games or just poor preparation. Donegal were still stretching when standing to greet President Higgins. Then went into a final warm up and delayed the start of the parade and had to be called several times. Then after breaking the parade they ran into another huddle before the anthem.

It was mind games that showed a lot of disrespect. Breaking off from the parade was a real lack of class. Really disrespectful to the band as well who would class today as one of the biggest moments of their lives no doubt. Leading the teams around Croke Park.

I am a Derryman and live right on the border. There are loads of family ties between Derry and Donegal. I class them as a county I would wish the best for. Their antics today left a sour taste.

[APM]

Can't take anything away from Kerry and that was no handy all-Ireland.  From the QFs on they beat the three Ulster teams comprehensively!

[DaleCooper]

From an energy conservation strategy POV telling your guys to lash two attempts, leave it till a one point goes over, then lash again just makes sense.

Tis a simple game. McHugh was a big loss as was Thompson as they scored a few during year but on the day Donegal just looked flat and were totally dominated by Kerry half backs

[tyroneStatto]

What is the reason for leaving the parade?

[DaleCooper]

Contrast with Jim Gavins utter calmness. The parade stuff set alarm bells off with me, you dont need to be at that crap nor staying in dressing room.

If youre gonna do that then at least come out with passion.

I remain with an earlier thought, the schedule really irks this model due to lack of time needed to really rehearse.

[AustinPowers]

Sorry I'm late to the post match debrief! Have we compared everything to Tyrone yet or have I missed the boat?

You Moygashel  boys are mad about the boats

[AustinPowers]

Very disappointed in Donegal today. From breaking early from the parade(disrespectful to the band and tradition) to not laying a glove on Kerry it was a day to forget.

Kerry however from the first whistle were absolutely superb. Gavin Whyte was incredible. Paudie Clifford was majestic. Joe O'Connor an absolute mountain in midfield. Deserved winners. Best team throughout the Championship by a fair distance.

I was trying to figure out was it disrespect, mind games or just poor preparation. Donegal were still stretching when standing to greet President Higgins. Then went into a final warm up and delayed the start of the parade and had to be called several times. Then after breaking the parade they ran into another huddle before the anthem.

It was mind games that showed a lot of disrespect. Breaking off from the parade was a real lack of class. Really disrespectful to the band as well who would class today as one of the biggest moments of their lives no doubt. Leading the teams around Croke Park.

I am a Derryman and live right on the border. There are loads of family ties between Derry and Donegal. I class them as a county I would wish the best for. Their antics today left a sour taste.

Their antics all year  left a sour taste for many 

[screenexile]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

I can see why teams break off at the hill when playing the Dubs but otherwise I'm not really sure why you would do it.

[Main Street]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

In the hurling games at CP, numerous times one team split early.

I thought Donegal had a number of players who were well capable of scoring points from outside the arc but in this game I think they only had one effort late on. I guess this was a deliberate tactic, to go for the more safer scoring option instead.

[thewobbler]

What is the reason for leaving the parade?

I dunno. Maybe there just wasn't enough time the past fortnight to get across all the messages that players can't operate without, and they needed to create a 30 second window.

[APM]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

Armagh broke it last year, IIRC, to treat Blaine Hughes' injury. They got booed.

[Stickittotheman]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

Never seen a team break from the parade as it passes Hill 16. They did the sane in the semi-final. It is disrespectful to the band, to the supporters and to the tradition. And for what? To try and play mind games to gain some sort of advantage. Petty in the extreme.

[markl121]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

Never seen a team break from the parade as it passes Hill 16. They did the sane in the semi-final. It is disrespectful to the band, to the supporters and to the tradition. And for what? To try and play mind games to gain some sort of advantage. Petty in the extreme.

Definitely have seen it many a time. Think my own county did it in the 93 final against cork

[J70]

Why is the parade a big deal?

I could have sworn I've seen numerous teams break early before, including Donegal in other games this year, unless I'm imagining things.

In the hurling games at CP, numerous times one team split early.

I thought Donegal had a number of players who were well capable of scoring points from outside the arc but in this game I think they only had one effort late on. I guess this was a deliberate tactic, to go for the more safer scoring option instead.

They just didn't seem to work the openings for two pointers, whether that was deliberate or down to Kerry's defending.

Langan, O'Baoill, McBrearty, Thompson, McHugh, Gallen and Murphy have all hit twos this season, especially Langan, O'Baoill and Thompson.

Thompson's early injury didn't help on that front, but who knows if he would have gotten the opportunity?