Paul Flynn's All-Ireland football final prediction

The biggest day in the Gaelic football calendar is here – the All-Ireland football final.

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?

Then 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 the respective spiritual leaders: Clifford versus Murphy. Two icons capable of turning the game in a heartbeat.

David Clifford and Michael Murphy will go head-to-head on Sunday

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 defence to attack 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 I think we will back doing a prediction show in a fortnight.

Verdict: Draw

Paul Flynn was speaking on Morning Ireland

Watch the All-Ireland Football Championship final, Donegal v Kerry, on Sunday from 2.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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