All-Ireland SFC final: Player-by-player guide to Donegal v Kerry

DONEGAL

Shaun Patton (St Eunan’s)

Has found himself under pressure at times this year but the advantage of that long kick-out has proven to be so important. He gets it away in two or three steps and it’s one of the biggest weapons in their arsenal.

Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill)

Can do everything, really. Pace, power, the exuberance of youth and is one of the best tacklers I’ve seen in a long time. Amazingly for his age, he makes the right decision 99% of the time. The odd mistake he does make doesn’t faze him.

Brendan McCole (St Naul’s)

Probably the best man-marker in the game right now and that’s probably because the Donegal system allows him to get tighter than other man-markers. No blurred lines with his role, it’s to nullify the opposition’s main threat.

Peadar Mogan (St Naul’s)

Definitely wouldn’t say he’s an out-and-out corner-back, but the impact he’s having from there is massive. Some teams have actually man-marked him, when’s the last time a corner-back was man-marked? Can be exposed one-on-one but knows when to break forward and when to mind the house.

Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)

He’s a safe pair of hands, but he has been able to be minded this year. Not at the level he was but still when the hooter goes, he’s the lad you want on it. He brings to the defence what Michael Murphy brings to the attack.

Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)

He’s flown under the radar and maybe hasn’t hit the heights of before, he isn’t as flamboyant as he used to be. Still, his role has changed and he’s the modern-day middle-eight footballer with real emphasis on the defensive side of things now.

Caolan McColgan (Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin)

Carrying a brilliant club season last year into the county scene and it totally goes unnoticed how effective he is, outside the dressing room anyway. Makes good choices, is abrasive and has that physical element. Dig deeper and he’s crucial.

Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)

Will play 45 minutes at his absolute peak before likely making way for someone. He’s a battering ram but what’s most interesting is that he ends up on the edge of the square an awful lot and gets chances. That causes teams problems.

Michael Langan (St Michael’s)

Pops up all the time with crucial scores and the more games go on, the more space he finds. Had a crucial score against Meath when Donegal had kicked four wides in a row and there was the goal against Monaghan. A freer role, less onus on work-rate compared to others.

Shane O’Donnell (St Eunan’s)

Not in the headlines but what a job he is doing. If I am being honest, I didn’t see him as that middle-eight player, but he has shown he is able to cover the ground, can thread a pass and has the ability to get on the end of a move for a crucial score.

Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill)

Maybe the most underrated player on the Donegal team, Thompson’s accuracy could be huge in the final. He takes on leadership when it comes to shooting, but his two-point ability could make a real difference. If Kerry haven’t planned for him, they’re in bother.

Ciarán Moore (St Eunan’s)

Seemed like an out-and-out corner-back but Donegal wanted his legs and energy out the field. I’ll be 100% honest, people had him man of the match against Meath but I thought he was quiet in the first half. He was exceptional in the second half, though. That game will stand to him in a massive way.

Conor O’Donnell (Carndonagh)

For me, a complete revelation. He’s very unorthodox, but he’s getting better with every single game. His work-rate has improved dramatically and he’s getting a lot of crucial scores. He revels in the extra space when others are being looked after.

Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)

Last year I sat in the studio with him and I could see part of him wanted to be back on the pitch but I never saw him getting to this level, I thought he’d be a 15-20-minute man. He’s been the key element Donegal have been missing over the last number of years.

Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaills)

Will be a little bit frustrated with how things have gone this year overall, but I could see him having a massive final. His goal against Meath was top drawer and I think he could end up with 1-6, 1-7 here. If he does, Donegal will win.

Bench impact

The biggest strength of the Donegal bench is that it answers a lot of questions. If they need to win a big ball, get scores or bring energy or something that bit different, they have a great array of options. It really is a very deep squad right now.

Specifically, what Jim McGuinness looks for off his bench is energy and good decision-making, there are three or four really good options there for that. You need a squad to win an All-Ireland these days, we’ve seen that over the last few years, and Donegal are well placed.

Management

What can you say? People said Jim McGuinness was going to bring something different when he came back in, and he’s brought energy, an emphasis on doing the right thing and he got the supporters back on board. But he hasn’t changed that much, he’s sticking to his principles. He probably has found a way to control the game with the new rule changes that others haven’t. He can pick teams off late on.

If they lead by five with 15 to go, you expect them to win by 18. He gets a tune out of them every day, he has a different ‘why’ every day, and that’s one of the hardest things for a manager. Donegal always turn up.

By Oisín McConville

KERRY

Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

One of Kerry’s leaders and big talkers in the dressing room. Has always been a fantastic shot-stopper and has showed off those reflexes and strong paws with regularity this season. Kerry have been as good as anybody and better than most in terms of their restarts at just under 70% and his ability to kick accurately off both feet has been a big part of that success.

Paul Murphy (Rathmore)

Diminutive in size, but quick as a cat and crafty as a pickpocket on a New York subway. One of the more experienced campaigners, and with that experience comes the bravery to want the ball when the lights are shining brightest. Look for him to make two and three runs to make himself available for those crucial Shane Ryan contested kickouts to break the Donegal press.

Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)

His match-up with Michael Murphy will be box office fare. His straight-line sprint speed is up there with athletes from any professional code you want to pick, and his ability to get a hand in to dislodge a 50-50 ball at the last second is a skill as pretty as anything done up the other end. His continued development as a more rounded defender has only been further enhanced this year under the new rules but he’ll get his sternest examination tomorrow.

Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)

The Austin Stacks club man has had to wait patiently for his breakthrough season as understudy to Tom O’Sullivan, but when that opportunity came knocking, he has grabbed it with both hands. He’s a rugged defender first and foremost but with a real touch of class on the ball. He’ll be starting his first All-Ireland final on Sunday, but he has a calmness to him that’s hard to faze.

Brian O’Beaglaoich (Gaeltacht)

Criminally underrated nationally and still underappreciated in Kerry. When fit and healthy as he has been this season, Begley is a menace of a half back and one of the very best in the game. The extra space afforded to him in this new football suits his marauding style no end. He has that streak of bitterness in him like all top defenders, but with ball in hand, he’s slick through gaps like he’s coated in butter.

Mike Breen (Beaufort)

Tadgh Morley had been a mainstay at centre back for the last number of years before an injury earlier in the season opened the door for the Beaufort man. Once fit this season, Jack has had Breen at 6. A powerful man, strong in the tackle and physical around breaking ball with a lovely range of kick-passing in his locker. He glides over the ground more than runs on it and he has added something different for Kerry in transition this season.

Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

In full flow, ball in hand, eating up the ground with every stride, there are few more aesthetically pleasing sights in Croke Park for a Kerry person than watching the Crokes man open up the legs. On assignment, he’s a ferociously good defender and if he’s paired with Donegal flyer Ciaran Moore tomorrow, it’ll be as athletic a match-up as there is on the pitch. Like O’Beaglaoich, his ability to punch holes in the Donegal zone defence and use the ball wisely will be crucial to the outcome.

Sean O’Brien (Beaufort)

In the opening national league game of 2024, Sean started midfield against the powerful Derry combination of Glass and Rodgers when they came to Tralee. He was taken off shortly before half time having struggled to make an impression. Fast forward a year and a half and he will start his first All-Ireland final in the engine room having made huge progress in a short period. He has good hands from his basketball days, likes to jump off two feet and is a capable ball winner. He keeps it simple but has a score or two in him off his left.

Mark O’Shea (Dr Crokes)

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the new kickout rules has been the rangy Crokes midfielder. Mark would have started the year as fourth choice at best, but a combination of injuries and a dramatic increase in the number of long kickouts in the game has seen his stock rise dramatically.

He has given Kerry a real presence in the area, strong on opposition restarts, and while he may not win a huge amount cleanly, he makes it very difficult for his opponent to win much either. He was hugely effective against the much-vaunted Armagh and Tyrone middle men and he’ll need to give more of the same tomorrow.

Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks)

Whether at half forward or midfield, Joe has probably been in Kerry’s top 3 performers in each game this season. He has delivered a season filled with huge energy, reliable offensive production and real leadership with his dynamic play.

He can trademark the pop tackle at this stage - dislodging the ball while chasing down his opponent from behind with surgical precision. His effort and workrate is infectious for his teammates and hugely appreciated in the stands. An All-Star season.

Sean O’Shea (Kenmare)

Jack called him the spiritual leader of the group after the Cavan game. Seanie is as solid as they come. No bullshit. Honest as the day is long. He plays the game without ego, gets the ball to the guy in the best position. He’ll mix it with you physically if you’re so inclined. He works. Tackles. Wins breaks. He’ll kick 10 points if you dare him but the team and the result is all that matters. A class act.

Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)

With the development of Dylan Casey and the health of Mike Breen at the back, Graham has been released to play a more advanced role in this new game. He has a huge engine - regularly towards the top numbers in the GPS during my time, he has all the attributes to be a hugely effective half forward. His football ability is very much underappreciated – a solid kicker off both feet, good on opposition kickouts, he has great defensive instincts, and he’s started to clip over a few scores as he becomes more comfortable in his role.

David Clifford (Fossa)

Expectation stalks him every game, but he treats it like an old friend.

The new rules have provided the playground for him to show the full repertoire of attacking skills he has in his bag. He looks fresh and bouncy. He’s doing far less chasing back after defenders and he has been able to concentrate his physical output on making things happen in attack.

We’re privileged to be able to call him one of our own in Kerry.

Paudie Clifford (Fossa)

Up to his injury, Paudie had elevated his game to a level very few can ever hope to get to. His impact coming on at half time against Armagh was immense. The most skilled kick-passer on the team, constantly playing with his head up seeking out the best opportunity. His work rate and the ground he covers is second to none. After getting through close to 70 minutes against Tyrone and knocking off any rust that was lingering, look for Paudie to be hugely impactful tomorrow.

Dylan Geaney (Dingle)

Dylan is a clever forward and a complementary part of the Kerry attacking pyramid. Like Paudie, he is an excellent kick-passer and has built up a strong understanding with David inside. He has a quick trigger and can get the pass from thought to execution in a heartbeat.

If a point opportunity presents itself, he’ll gladly take it, but like most townie forwards, his first thought is about creating a goal chance. A young player with a huge upside and another one of six Kerry players starting their first All-Ireland final.

Bench impact

The Kerry substitutes provide an abundance of options to Jack and his selectors to try and affect the flow of the game in the crucial stages. The biggest talking point will be whether they chose to use Diarmuid O’Connor and Paul Geaney. Neither has played much football recently and the risk of reoccurrence of injury, particularly with Diarmuid - after what happened in the Cavan game must be a huge concern. Having to use a sub to replace another sub could be a costly blow in a game that is sure to be teetering on a knife-edge going down the stretch.

Management

Jack O’Connor is nothing if not resilient. The man has an unshakeable belief in how he wants a Kerry team to play football in Croke Park and his record would suggest he has great success in transmitting that vision and mentality to his players.

For all the talk of Jim McGuinness’ managerial brilliance, having been involved with coaching or managing over 20 All-Ireland titles at all levels from schools to senior inter-county and everything in between, Jack’s experience on the sideline means there is very little he hasn’t seen or dealt with in a high-pressure situation.

He has reached eight finals in his 11 total years at the helm and a win tomorrow would give him a hugely impressive record of 5-3 in those senior All-Ireland finals with Kerry.

By Micheál Quirke

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