Donegal v Kerry - 2025 All-Ireland Football Final

[An Watcher]

For once I think the Munster kingpins are going into this game more battle hardened than the Ulster kingpins. 
Donegal have cantered to the final through no fault of their own, getting a very favourable draw along the way.  Kerry meanwhile have taken out the All Ireland champions and a team that has already beaten donegal relatively recently.
My heart says Donegal but my head says Kerry fairly comfortably unless Jimmy is hatching a tactical masterclass.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

If Kerry play to their potential, like their very best , am I alone in thinking they could give Donegal a right tanking ?

If Donegal play their worst, like their very worst, then you are probably right.

[AustinPowers]

If Kerry play to their potential, like their very best , am I alone in thinking they could give Donegal a right tanking ?

I dunno. I think it's more  likely to be the other way round. But like Cork hurlers, their  big Semi win probably left everyone thinking they were  sure to win the final.  So Donegal's  big semi win  might do them no favours in that regard .

After this  final we'll either be talking about bringing back Murphy was a McGuinness masterstroke, or bringing back Murphy was a  reek of desperation, the last desperate throw of the dice.... and what was he thinking,  hoping a 36 year old would
be the difference.

I'm hoping it's  the latter

[DaleCooper]

Donegals organisation is impressive, they did seem to kick up the gears even when the game was over. Similar to Cork in semi final, when they were contesting ball furiously well past third quarter.


Bad history of these types of performances when "everything goes well" even against poor opposition.

Id imagine there'll be a few "accidental" collisions with key players. 

[imtommygunn]

The difference here is that both had easy enough wins in the semi final so one win shouldn't give reason for complacency more than another. Kerry's was an impressive win too.

Kerry need to not do a Cork. They basically hammer everyone when everything is rosy but when it gets into a dogfight they can be found wanting. (Not always but more typically against ulster opposition in tight games).

[Blowitupref]

If Kerry play to their potential, like their very best , am I alone in thinking they could give Donegal a right tanking ?

If Donegal play their worst, like their very worst, then you are probably right.

Yeah would need to be a system meltdown by Donegal.

This final all points to a fine margin contest whereby might even require extra time.  Need a good final after the one sided semi-finals and none of the quarter finals were classics either.

[larryin89]

If Kerry play to their potential, like their very best , am I alone in thinking they could give Donegal a right tanking ?

If Donegal play their worst, like their very worst, then you are probably right.

Yeah would need to be a system meltdown by Donegal.

This final all points to a fine margin contest whereby might even require extra time.  Need a good final after the one sided semi-finals and none of the quarter finals were classics either.

What is a system meltdown ? If Clifford and seanie o Shea run absolute riot and Kerry win by 7/8 points is that a system meltdown or just simply the best players in the country showing what they can do ? Look I'm wrong more than I'm right but I just feel people have taken their eye off the ball in recent years and created a lot of hyperbole about decent sides that are not exceptional sides , Armagh / Galway / Derry and now Donegal . Armagh smashed and grabbed a Sam and deservedly so but like I say a lot of commotion created over the greatness of these sides and it's just not really there . Where as Kerry have that ceiling! again just my opinion where they could go on and win a couple more at least .

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Whatever about David Clifford but if Seanie O'Shea is running absolute riot against you, you are doing something wrong.

Armagh will look back on their management of Seanie O'Shea with a fair bit of embarrassment.

Also, as "amazing" as Kerry are, they don't set the world alight. Maybe you are creating a bit of commotion there yourself.

[Blowitupref]

If Kerry play to their potential, like their very best , am I alone in thinking they could give Donegal a right tanking ?

If Donegal play their worst, like their very worst, then you are probably right.

Yeah would need to be a system meltdown by Donegal.

This final all points to a fine margin contest whereby might even require extra time.  Need a good final after the one sided semi-finals and none of the quarter finals were classics either.

What is a system meltdown ? If Clifford and seanie o Shea run absolute riot and Kerry win by 7/8 points is that a system meltdown or just simply the best players in the country showing what they can do ? Look I'm wrong more than I'm right but I just feel people have taken their eye off the ball in recent years and created a lot of hyperbole about decent sides that are not exceptional sides , Armagh / Galway / Derry and now Donegal . Armagh smashed and grabbed a Sam and deservedly so but like I say a lot of commotion created over the greatness of these sides and it's just not really there . Where as Kerry have that ceiling! again just my opinion where they could go on and win a couple more at least .

I'm expecting at least one of S O'Shea,D Clifford to have a good scoring return on Sunday but for both to run riot would go against to what I've seen from a McGuinness managed Donegal in All-Ireland semi final or final before.

Get what you are saying about ceiling though let's not forget Kerry have won two All-Ireland titles in the last 15 years for a reason and even those wins was fine margins.

[JPO]

Most neutrals will want to see Kerry win the final. It'll  be the best result for gaelic football and hopefully will add another into the coffin of the old game.   

[Truthsayer]

Most neutrals will want to see Kerry win the final. It'll  be the best result for gaelic football and hopefully will add another into the coffin of the old game.   

Had the misfortune to attend the 2014 All Ireland final when Kerry beat Donegal. Absolutely dire with Kerry just as defensive. The rule makers have driven the nails into the coffin of the old game. Jimmy McGuinness can play it anyway you like. Hope Donegal win. A 'neutral.. 

[blanketattack]

Most neutrals will want to see Kerry win the final. It'll  be the best result for gaelic football and hopefully will add another into the coffin of the old game.   

31 counties will be shouting for Donegal. Waterford and Tipperary might have a few shouting for Kerry but that's probably it.

[Armagh18]

Most neutrals will want to see Kerry win the final. It'll  be the best result for gaelic football and hopefully will add another into the coffin of the old game.   

31 counties will be shouting for Donegal. Waterford and Tipperary might have a few shouting for Kerry but that's probably it.

Kerry all the way. Donegal have got to the stage with me where I'd have supported Tyrone over them lol.

[larryin89]

Well this neutral will be wanting a Kerry victory and wouldn't be that fond of them either .

[AustinPowers]

Well this neutral will be wanting a Kerry victory and wouldn't be that fond of them either .

That would be  my position too