Paul Flynn's All-Ireland final preview
What a showdown we have in store: Donegal versus Kerry, two of the finest teams in the championship, going head-to-head for the Sam Maguire.
At its heart, this is a battle of philosophies. Donegal bring a game built on structure – a team that thrives on their running power and seamless transitions from defence to attack.
Kerry, on the other hand, are all about expression – fluid, creative, and unpredictable. The big question is: which approach will prevail? Can Kerry's flair and movement break down Donegal's defensive organisation, or will Donegal's discipline and efficiency stifle Kerry's creativity?
The you have the characters – Jack v Jim, Murphy v Clifford.
The individual match-ups could define the game. Brendan McCole faces the unenviable task of marking David Clifford, arguably the most dangerous forward in the game. Can McCole contain him? He'll need support from Donegal's zonal defence.
In midfield, Michael Langan will go toe-to-toe with Joe O'Connor – or perhaps Diarmuid O'Connor, if he returns. And then there's Paudie Clifford, the link man for Kerry's attack. Will Ryan McHugh track him and nullify his influence?
And of course, the ultimate battle of captains: Clifford versus Murphy. Two leaders, two icons, and two players capable of turning the game in a heartbeat.
Both teams will need to play the moment. This is a final, and risk management will be crucial. Whose game plan carries the least amount of risk?
Donegal's structure might give them the edge in control, but Kerry's ability to transition quickly could expose any gaps in Donegal's defence. It's a delicate balance – one mistake, one lapse, could be the difference.
Physically, this will be a war of attrition. Donegal's running power is unmatched. Their ability to transition from attack to defence is a key strength. The question is: can Kerry match that intensity?
Tyrone exposed Kerry's midfield earlier in the championship but couldn't capitalise. Donegal won't let that opportunity slip. If they dominate the middle third, Kerry could find themselves in real trouble.
Kerry biggest challenge will be to unlock Donegal's zonal defence. The Tir Chonaill men are masters at protecting the arc, but can Kerry find a way through?
Paudie Clifford will be key here – cutting through the D, creating overloads, and finding space for David Clifford to do what he does best. If Kerry can penetrate that defence, they'll be very hard to stop.
Both teams come into this final with a siege mentality. Donegal have built a fortress-like mindset, thriving on the idea of being the underdog against the traditional powers.
Kerry, meanwhile, have had to deal with internal criticism earlier in the year, and they've used that as fuel for their campaign. Neither team will give an inch, and both have the quality to dig themselves out of any tough patches during the game.
There really is so little to choose between the teams. It's a clash of styles, a clash of stars, and a clash of wills. I genuinely can't split them.
Extra time? Maybe. A replay? Don't rule it out. One thing's for sure – this has all the ingredients of a classic. And who knows, we might not be done with predictions just yet.
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Irish Independent
29 minutes ago
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‘Pure heart and determination' – Kerry fans rejoice after epic display to land the Kingdom's 39th All-Ireland
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Irish Independent
29 minutes ago
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The Irish Independent's View: Pure play replaces puke football as shrewd Kerry take All-Ireland football title
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David Clifford, Michael Murphy and the burden of brilliance
For 521 seconds, David Clifford did next to nothing. He watched five plays go by for five points. The problem for Donegal is that bulls are reactive animals. Sudden movements are seen as openings to attack. Brendan McCole matched up with the two-time Footballer of the Year just as the countless match previews expected he would. Clifford immediately recognised the conundrum facing Donegal. Their zonal system needs to stay connected and compact. What will they do if he stands out wide or high beyond the arc as Kerry kick five points from five shots? He strolled around, he jumped out of one tackle in fear of being pinged for contact on the kickout mark, he logged a glitch in the Jim McGuinness mainframe, he directed traffic with a series of deft hand signals, all the while waiting for a chance to pounce. He was primed to take that chance. Biology, behaviour, and environment: the major components that shape a bull's attack. As he strolled in the pre-match parade, Clifford's predatory glare filled the Croke Park screens. Nostrils flaring, chest heaving, he looked primed. The 26-year-old pawed the ground and waited for an opportunity to cut loose. Caolan McColgan eventually provided it. It is not a reasonable expectation to eradicate turnovers completely, but McColgan's was of the costliest kind. Paudie Clifford picked it off inside Donegal's half. Now they were vulnerable. Straight away, there was something different in Clifford's demeanour. No longer was this the stance of a decoy. He held up two steady hands. He dropped a shoulder. He did that sleight-of-foot thing that makes a 6'3' man just shy of 15 stone look like a small, jinking corner forward. He collected off the onrushing Mike Breen and lined it up. His left had snapped a shot from outside the arc before McCole could get close. He's doing that Clifford trademark. He's doing untold damage. The horns storm through the china shop. Kerry's David Clifford and his son Ogie, left, and brother Paudie Clifford, right, celebrate with family. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Now he's in the game. Another touch, a simple handpass. Stand on the Cusack Stand sideline with hands on the hips and bide your time again. 669 seconds, a quick loop around Breen. Another orange flag and the Kingdom contingent find their voice. They continue to be confounded by this generational talent. Three possessions, four points. Wut? Did you know that on the way to his first All-Ireland crown in 2022, David Clifford only had three possessions in the entire championship final? This is a different animal. One scarred by heartbreaking losses in successive years. One wary of the over-praise and questioning whether all the adulation is sincere. One evolving. What a daunting thought. After that burst, there were minor stumbles. A turnover and a two-pointer dropped short. 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'And he's humble enough to create scores for other people and he was a massive part of all we done there, because he kicked three two-pointers and particularly the one on the stroke of halftime was just inspirational for us going in, just get an extra zip ourselves. 'But yeah, how he deals with the weight of expectation, I have no idea.' It is a lofty burden to bear. Michael Murphy is one of the few individuals in the sport capable of comprehending it. Michael Murphy of Donegal stands dejected after the All-Ireland SFC final. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile Despite losing, the 2012 All-Ireland winner was still singled out for a tribute by GAA president Jarlath Burns before he handed Sam Maguire over. Imagine. That can be a heavy load. Murphy missed a routine free into the Hill as Donegal fell into an irrevocable first-quarter hole. It was a marginal miss. A shot that hit the post. He swung over a beauty at the other end when Kerry were penalised for catching a kickout inside the arc, but that miss will bother him nevertheless. And yet, the lesson of this campaign is that solitary stars are not enough. In the showpiece billed as the collective system versus the individual star, it was decided by both. Clifford scored nine points. Murphy scored eight. Kerry had seven different scorers. Donegal had six. The Kingdom's war plan to deal with Murphy was spread across the entire defence. Jason Foley and Paul Murphy lined out beside him and raced to win short kickouts. Foley took him on close to goal. Brian Ó Beaglaoich battled him on breaking ball. Mark O'Shea competed in the sky. This is the worry for all onlooking challengers. Coming into 2025, everyone knew Kerry had an animal. They now know they have a pack as well.
