We get the considered opinions of interested observers as to who will lift the Sam Maguire Cup on Sunday.
Dermot Earley - Two-time Leinster championship winner with Kildare
"Donegal won the All-Ireland in 2012 and the bulk of that team are aiming for a second medal. After beating Dublin, you could say they’ve come through the tougher side of the draw.
"Kerry are Kerry and we all know about their pedigree. Eamonn Fitzmaurice has done really well to revitalise the squad and the nature of their win over Mayo in the replay will leave them in a confident mood.
"As to how the game will unfold, I expect both sides to pack their defences. Donegal will be mindful of the threat posed by O’Donoghue, Donaghy and Geaney, while Kerry will have taken note of the way Dublin left themselves exposed to the Donegal counter-attack.
"Paul Durcan’s kick-outs - going straight down the middle - were the launchpad for Donegal’s revival the last day.
"Midfield supremacy will be key on Sunday. There are reasons to believe that Donegal can boss this area, but the Kerry duo of Anthony Maher and David Moran won’t be found wanting either.
"If the Kingdom can win their fair share of the breaks in the middle, I think they can go on to win it. Moran is great at playing the simple ball, while also being able to hit scores from distance.
"Jim McGuinness has continued to tweak the Donegal system of play but Eamonn Fitzmaurice has also been innovative in the way he has managed Kerry and I think he may have another surprise or two up his sleeve on Sunday.
"It's Kerry for me."
Sean Boylan - Former All-Ireland winning manager with Meath
"I don’t want to sit on the fence but I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a draw. I think it is that tight.
"Kerry, getting this far, has been extraordinary. I know we’re talking about Kerry, but you have to hand it to Eamonn Fitzmaurice for the way he has found players to fill key roles.
"I did, however, fancy Mayo to beat them in the semi-final. Then, I changed my mind for the replay. I saw something in the way Kerry got level in the drawn game and then they produced even more to finally see off Mayo. There’s definitely a toughness in the side now and they have so many naturally gifted ball players.
"As for Donegal, well they have been amazing. Even though they just got over Armagh [All-Ireland quarter-final] I did feel coming out of that match that they could put it up to Dublin. They did more than that!
"We all know what Donegal are about in how they set up for games. The element of surprise, I suppose, is gone. This year they’ve added a few new faces to compliment the likes of the two McGees, Lacey, Murphy and McFadden.
"I thought Ryan McHugh was brilliant against the Dubs. His pace, running off the ball, just his overall work-rate was a delight to watch. You also have to mention Christy Toye. He’s been around a while and has had his injuries but he was one of those who turned the game Donegal’s way the last day.
"If I have to call it, I’ll slightly give the nod to Donegal. Maybe their greater know-how in recent seasons can see them home."
Eamonn O'Hara - Connacht championship winner with Sligo in 2007
"This year’s All-Ireland is so hard to call. I’m surprised that both teams have got his far.
"Donegal are more experienced and most of their team have All-Ireland medals. They are very disciplined in the tackle, good man-markers and, if anything, I think their system now is better than it was in 2012. The Dublin game showed us that.
"Kerry have the tradition, but there’s a fair bit of youth in their side. I also think their full-back line is vulnerable.
"Despite that, I think Eamonn Fitzmaurice is moulding a formidable team but an All-Ireland title may just be beyond them this year.
"Donegal by two or three."
John Evans - Roscommon manager and All-Ireland U-21 winner with Kerry in 1975
"You could come up with ten reasons as to who is going to win this game. It’s full of intrigue. As a contest, it may not be free-flowing. More likely it will be dour and tough-tackling.
"Kerry have jumped some important fences this summer. In the Munster final, their obliteration of Cork showed us they meant business. The bar was raised higher for the Mayo game and they had the character and resolve to get through.
"I spoke about Donegal after the Ulster final and I said they would trouble the Dubs. I have the height of respect for Jim McGuinness and what he’s done. Many thought the team Donegal were gone after the last year but Jim has gone out has gone out and re-invented the wheel.
"That said, Kerry won’t be fazed by the Donegal way and the newcomers to the side won’t be daunted either. Eamonn Fitzmaurice is an astute operator and we won’t see the naive defending that Dublin deployed in the semi-final.
"Also, I believe that Kerry will get joy around the middle and from there will push on for victory."
Kevin McStay - 1985 All Star winner for Mayo
"I expect Sunday’s final to be a tight affair. Tactics will be crucial, so those hoping for a free-flowing contest may be disappointed. Kerry have a lot of good ball players, though as a unit they will need to be patient in trying to beat the Donegal system and pick off the scores.
"But Kerry, as befits a county with the tradition they have, will come to Croke Park expecting to win and believing they will win. They will have taken great confidence from the win over Mayo and, in particular, the impact that Kieran Donaghy made in those games.
"Alongside Donaghy, you have Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue. In front of that line there’s Michael Geaney, Johnny Buckley and Donnchadh Walsh. Collectively, they are all comfortable on the ball.
"David Moran in midfield has been outstanding. He was very influential in the games against Mayo. He’s come in and taken his chance. His partner, Anthony Maher, I feel, just needs to up it a bit.
"Kerry will have massive motivation to at last beat an Ulster team in a final. They have a young manager who approaches things in a very modern way and this year they have an edge to their play that I think can lay to rest that northern hoodoo.
"As I said earlier, it will be close, but Kerry can edge it by a point or two. That’ll be it."
Live coverage of Kerry v Donegal in the All-Ireland football final from 12.30pm on RTÉ2 (throw-in 3.30pm). Watch live on RTÉ Player (Ireland only) and worldwide via GAAGO. Live radio coverage from 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
