When Donegal last took home Sam Maguire in 2012, Jim McGuinness' side had seven games to navigate their way to All-Ireland glory, including an Ulster preliminary quarter-final against Cavan.
Should the Tír Chonaill men claim a third ever Sam Maguire win on Sunday, they will do so after a gruelling 11-game schedule (it could even reach a dozen if the sides remain deadlocked after extra-time).
McGuinness has been vocal in his criticism of the demands being put on his players, yet his 2025 crop are potentially just 70 minutes away from the Holy Grail.
Captain Paddy McBrearty and talisman Michael Murphy are the only players in the panel that were involved in the 2-11 to 0-13 victory over Mayo 13 years ago.
McBrearty started every time during the victorious Ulster campaign but, in the subsequent half a dozen games, has only been selected from the off against Cavan.
Replaced at half-time in the comfortable win over the Breffni men, the Kilcar man has impressed in cameo roles when sprung from the bench.
He picked off two points in the comeback victory over Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final, while last time out he terrorised the Meath defence with three points in an all-action display after replacing Murphy in the 45th minute.
It seems likely that he will again be held in reserve for the Sunday’s showdown with the Kingdom, but the 31-year-old cannot wait for the game to come around.
"It’s back to where every team wants to be, back in an All-Ireland final," he tells RTÉ Sport.
"For some of us in the group, it has taken a long time to get back there.
"It’s pure relief to get back there. A lot of hard work and bad days as well along the way."
One defeat in 10 isn’t a bad return for a side that only two years ago were in disarray.
That sole reversal came at home to Tyrone, yet the rare taste of defeat in Ballybofey has stood to the team, with McBrearty highlighting the nature of the wins over Mayo and Monaghan as proof of the resilience within the group.
"The Tyrone loss was a disappointment, but we got back on the horse well," he says.
"The team has shown great character, particularly in the Mayo game. Likewise, the Monaghan game when we were eight points down."
With the likes of Finnbarr Roarty, Caolan McColgan and Ciarán Moore starring in their run to the final, some of the more established players have been forced to showcase their talents off the bench.
In the semi-final demolition of the Royals, McGuinness was able to introduce McBrearty, Jason McGee, Caolan McGonagle, Daire Ó Baoill and Odhrán McFadden Ferry to proceedings in a show of arms.
"There are a lot of very good footballers that can’t get into the 26 at the minute," McBrearty says.
"Every night at training, everyone is putting their best foot forward."
Kerry are the final hurdle they must overcome in a demanding season.
In 2012, McGuinness got the better of Jack O’Connor at the quarter-final stage – McBrearty kicked a score in a two-point win – and the two men will be plotting each other’s downfall once again on Sunday.
Central to McGuinness’ plans will be how to curtail David Clifford, with the Kerry forward back in Player of the Year form.
Pivotal in the quarter-final win over Armagh, he torched the Tyrone defence with 1-05 from play last time out.
"He's obviously one of the all-time greats," McBrearty says. "Anyone within the GAA is a fan of his. He’s different to anyone else.
"If there is any chance for us to win the game, we have to curb his influence, which is a very, very hard task to do.
"Every team says that before they go out onto the field. There are a lot of battles all over the field, and whoever is on him has a massive job to do."
The fact they playing the most decorated county in the game adds another layer for a team targeting just a third title.
"Kerry has a massive history within the game. They nearly expect to win it," he adds.
"A lot of players in their group have won All-Irelands, but there are a few that haven’t also.
"There are a lot of boys in our group around the block a long time that haven’t won an All-Ireland, so it’s two teams mad to win."
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
