Donegal v Kerry - 2025 All-Ireland Football Final

[giveherlong]

When you look at the bench from Donegal it is serious in fairness. There's lads I have half forgotten about that would make most teams.

The closer it gets the more I think Donegal by 4+. They have so much legs and even if they have had blips I'd trust McGuinness to have them humming on Sunday.

I think with the new rules we could have a genuine classic.

Be surprised if Donegal start as named.
Daire O'Baoil in for Caolan McColgan you would think

[Armagh18]

It's a very hard game to call, the hurling last week showed that. I think Donegal hold Clifford, but the attention they give him frees up others.

"Holding" Clifford = about 7-8 points. I can see Donegal doing that which is what Armagh did fairly well, but I can't see Donegal allowing Seanie to shoot the lights out like we did.

Can also see another scenario with aclifford hitting about 3-12 lol

[Wildweasel74]

McCole actually a very good full bck.but I notice 4 of the Donegal bck 6 are smallish men,McHugh,Mogan, Roarty, McColgan, Kerry big m3n in the half forward line and if Geaney comes in the full forward line. Whos marking him.

[bennydorano]

Killian Spillane a big unit too when he comes in

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Both still very markable and I don't think Donegal's defensive concerns will lie with either of them. Donegal struggling with big physical forwards hasn't been a theme of this year's championship.
The entire plan will centre around the Cliffords with a watchful eye on Seanie O'Shea. O'Shea's form has been pretty meh to be honest, save for the Armagh game where they completely refused to mark him.
Gavin White will take more watching than some of the Kerry forwards.

We can fall into the trap that all these Kerry players are world beaters. They aren't and they've been knocked out of the championship by 4 different teams in the 5 previous seasons.

[Rossfan]

Donegal were knocked out 5 times in the previous 5 seasons.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

And nobody is talking about them like they are invincible.

[Rossfan]

Sensible people see it as 50/50ish with the best team on the day winning it.

[twohands!!!]

Sensible people see it as 50/50ish with the best team on the day winning it.

As the week has gone on I've been leaning more towards Donegal - If both sides were 100% fit and fresh I'd be leaning marginally for Kerry but Kerry's injuries this year tips the favour in Donegal's favour - I'd also have big question marks about Sean O'Brien and Mark O'Shea around midfield for Kerry.

[EoinW]

In hurling, Tipperary went winless in Munster in 2018, then won the All Ireland in 2019.  2024 they were winless again.  2025 another All Ireland.

Jim McGuinness led Donegal to the SF in 2011 then won the All Ireland in 2012.  He returned in 2024 to take Donegal back to the SF.  2025...

When history sort of repeats I must defer to history and predict a Donegal victory Sunday.

[Joeythelips]

Sensible people see it as 50/50ish with the best team on the day winning it.

Exactly this, Donegal will cause Kerry lots of problems and Kerry will cause similar problems for Donegal. I think Kerrys ability to kick long range points might just edge it to them but I say that with no real confidence.

[armaghniac]

In hurling, Tipperary went winless in Munster in 2018, then won the All Ireland in 2019.  2024 they were winless again.  2025 another All Ireland.

Jim McGuinness led Donegal to the SF in 2011 then won the All Ireland in 2012.  He returned in 2024 to take Donegal back to the SF.  2025...

When history sort of repeats I must defer to history and predict a Donegal victory Sunday.

In 2006 a Jack O'Connor managed team beat Armagh in the quarter final when Armagh were winning at half time. Kerry won the All Ireland final. When history repeats I must defer to history and predict a Kerry victory on Sunday.

[balladmaker]

At least with Brendan Cawley being the man in the middle, Michael Murphy know's he'll be afforded the time to get an oul' stretch in at kick outs 

[Cunny Funt]

Sensible people see it as 50/50ish with the best team on the day winning it.

As the week has gone on I've been leaning more towards Donegal - If both sides were 100% fit and fresh I'd be leaning marginally for Kerry but Kerry's injuries this year tips the favour in Donegal's favour - I'd also have big question marks about Sean O'Brien and Mark O'Shea around midfield for Kerry.

Those same injuries was there for the last two games as Kerry eased past Armagh,Tyrone, teams that Donegal needed extra time and lost to during this championship. Argument to be made Jack O'Connor has stumbled onto his strongest starting 15 now due to those injuries and such injuries shouldn't be used as excuse now before tomorrows final.

[DaleCooper]

Kerry have so much class but also playing with anger. Like they have a point to prove.

If anyone can figure a way to upset the apple cart it'll be McGuinness.

Tyrone put a "70% at his best" hampsey on Clifford with obvious disastrous consequences. Donegal will handle him a lot better.

Third quarter could be when Donegal attempt a goals strategy.

Time will tell, let's hope for a good contest no poor reffing or Papa type mistakes.