There are few weekends on the Irish calendar that command national attention quite like the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. On Sunday 27th July, Croke Park will once again take centre stage for the 138th edition of this storied event, as Kerry and Donegal meet in a battle that goes beyond silverware.
Tens of thousands of fans will descend on Dublin, turning the capital into a mosaic of green and gold, navy and white. This isn’t just a game – it’s a gathering of generations, a climax of the summer and, for many, a spiritual homecoming.
Croke Park, already revered as the heart of Gaelic games, will pulsate with energy as two counties with vastly different recent histories prepare to lay everything on the line. For Kerry, it’s about legacy. For Donegal, it’s about renewal and redemption. For everyone else, it’s a reminder of why this game – amateur in name, elite in execution – runs deep in Irish blood, and it’s an event not to be missed.
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A huge event in GAA
Each July, as schoolyards empty and towns across the country slip into a summer rhythm, one date remains sacred: the All-Ireland Final. This is more than a championship decider – it is a focal point of national culture, as important to many households up and down the country as Christmas or Easter. Every county has its own tradition, but all roads lead to Croke Park in those last days of July.
The GAA is Ireland’s most embedded sporting institution, and following your county team is akin to following your family – there is no alternative. Even those who don’t watch every match find themselves glued to the final, lured in by the narratives, the rivalries and the sheer drama of the day. From Clonakilty to Carrickmacross, the championship becomes part of conversation, and the final, in particular, becomes folklore. The event brings people together across generations, across borders, and often across oceans.
This final, in particular, adds emotional weight. Kerry, with their history and class, are seen as the favourites. Donegal, with their raw energy and fierce loyalty, are chasing only their third All-Ireland in history. It’s a match-up that is both familiar and fresh – a reflection of where Gaelic football stands today.
The teams’ routes to the final
As we approached the semi-finals, the footballing landscape was shaped by six counties with genuine hopes of reaching the final. Kerry, Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone, Dublin and Galway were all seen as having the tools to challenge for the Sam Maguire Cup.
Kerry were always among the favourites. With a rich blend of experience, scoring power and tactical maturity, they’ve reached three of the last four finals and have shown an ability to adapt under pressure.
Their quarter-final win over Galway was commanding, and in the semi-final, they dismantled Tyrone with efficiency and flair. The return of key players from injury and the consistency of David Clifford have made them formidable.
Donegal’s run to the final is one of the stories of the season. Jim McGuinness’s return has transformed the side from scrappy underachievers into a hardened, confident unit. They edged Armagh in a tense Ulster final that ended in a dramatic penalty shootout and have only grown in confidence since. Their semi-final destruction of Meath by 3-26 to 0-12 stunned many, announcing that they are not just finalists – they are now genuine contenders to cause an upset in Dublin.
Armagh and Galway both looked like serious threats through the group stages, showing bursts of flair and tactical fluidity. However, both sides faltered at the crucial moment. Tyrone, always dangerous in a knockout format, pushed hard but lacked the edge to break down Kerry’s disciplined defence. And Dublin – once all-conquering – saw their challenge fall short in a year of transition.
So, as the dust settled, two remained: one steeped in tradition; the other burning with hunger.
Who’s going to win? Take a look at the odds on Tonybet.
Standout Irish players
Few players in modern Gaelic football have captured imaginations like Kerry’s David Clifford. Already a Footballer of the Year and a multiple All-Star recipient, Clifford has elevated his performances this season to a new level. His movement, balance and composure in front of goal remain unmatched. In the semi-final alone, he notched 1-9, acting as both finisher and orchestrator. He is Kerry’s talisman, and if they win on Sunday, it’s likely that he’ll have had a central role.
Alongside Clifford, the likes of Paudie Clifford, Seán O’Shea and Gavin White have been essential. O’Shea, in particular, has quietly gone about his business with precision, controlling the tempo from midfield and creating overlaps that Kerry have ruthlessly exploited.
Donegal’s resurgence is led by a name that had, for a while, faded from the inter-county scene: Michael Murphy. The former captain was coaxed back by McGuinness and has been inspirational. His leadership has brought a spine to the team, while his physical presence has given Donegal a focal point in both attack and defence. He may not be as quick as he was in 2012, but his game intelligence and timing remain top tier.
Ryan McHugh has been another standout. The fleet-footed wingback was a constant threat in the semi-final and is one of the few players in the country who can match Clifford for dynamism in open play. His runs from deep, combined with a knack for creating overloads, have made Donegal a different beast.
In truth, many more could be mentioned: Paddy McBrearty’s influence off the bench, Caolan McColgan’s work rate, and Jason Foley’s dogged defending for Kerry. However, as is often the case, it may come down to one or two moments from the headline names to decide the title.
Our expert prediction
It’s a final that offers an intriguing tactical chess match. Kerry will look to control possession, press high, and create quick transitions through Clifford and O’Shea. Donegal, in contrast, may sit deeper, inviting pressure before breaking with speed via McHugh and McBrearty. Much will depend on how Murphy holds up physically – and whether Kerry can dominate the middle third as they did in the semi-final.
Experience often plays a critical role on the All-Ireland final day. Kerry, with multiple players accustomed to this stage, know how to manage the big occasion. Donegal, for all their hunger and intensity, haven’t played a final since 2014 – and many on the panel have never reached this height.
That said, belief is a powerful force. McGuinness has rekindled Donegal’s sense of identity, and his meticulous planning could throw up surprises. If Donegal can contain Clifford and win enough primary possession, they have the weapons to cause an upset.
Still, the safe money remains on Kerry. Their depth, their cool heads under pressure, and the Clifford factor could prove decisive. Expect a tight, tactical encounter, possibly decided in the final five minutes. A scoreline such as 1-17 to 1-15 wouldn’t be a surprise.
For those keeping an eye on the markets, Tonybet offers up-to-date odds and betting options leading into the final weekend. Kerry currently edges as slight favourites, but there’s real movement in Donegal’s favour after their semi-final demolition of Meath.
The All-Ireland final is never just about who wins and who loses. It’s about who shows up – for their county, for their teammates, for the community that stands behind them. It’s about those childhood days kicking a ball on the grass outside your parish hall, and the dream that one day, you might also walk the steps of the Hogan Stand.
On 27th July, Croke Park will be full again. The noise will rise, the nerves will crackle, and somewhere, in the tension of a point game or the lift of a goal, this final will write itself into history. Whether it’s Kerry adding to their legacy or Donegal breaking new ground, one thing is certain: Ireland will be watching, hearts in mouths, once more.
