It’s all set now as the final game of the intercounty season takes place with underdogs Mayo facing reigning champions Kerry in the All-Ireland Final.
Kerry come into the clash looking to make it back-to-back Sam Maguire Cups as well as make it their 40th All-Ireland crown. Meanwhile, for Mayo, they’ll be hoping to finally end 75 years of hurt and win the coveted title.
It may have been a final not many expected at the start of the year, but there’s going to be plenty of quality on show from both sides and some huge battles will decide the outcome. Here are 3 of the biggest ones.
David Clifford of Kerry is tackled by Donnacha McHugh. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
DAVID CLIFFORD V DONNACHA MCHUGH
It will be fascinating to see who Andy Moran details to look after Paudie Clifford — in-form Enda Hession is our guess — but McHugh is likely to renew acquaintances with the younger Clifford, as he has done so in Croke Park before. In the 2025 National League final, then-Mayo boss Kevin McStay insisted that McHugh has done a decent job on Clifford, even though he scored eight points, and that the Kerry maestro may have even manufactured the odd free.
So, a key part of how this battle unfolds is how Martin McNally, taking charge of his first All-Ireland, decides to referee this final. There has certainly been a laissez-faire approach to most games in Croke Park this summer. McNally’s approach could be a help or hindrance to McHugh in his mission impossible.
Jason Foley of Kerry in action against Ryan O’Donoghue. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
JASON FOLEY V RYAN O’DONOGHUE
O’Donoghue is the player who makes this Mayo attack tick. While Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne have been grabbing the headlines, it has been the Belmullet native between them knitting everything together while his work-rate when his team don’t have the ball has been one of his most impressive aspects.
Foley’s reputation as one of the game’s best full-backs continues to grow. Coming from an underage athletics background, he is rarely beaten in a foot-race and has the excellent sense of anticipation that all good defenders need. Whoever emerges on top here will be decisive.
Shane Murphy. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
SHANE MURPHY V JACK LIVINGSTONE
It seems incredible to think that after the league final and in the early days of summer Murphy was viewed as the weak link in this Kerry team. Not anymore. His masterful performance off the kicking tee against Tyrone was integral to them edging the win in the quarter-final. He makes brilliant use of the four gigantic targets he has in the middle third, but he is just as adept at finding any teammate. Like Murphy, this will be Livingstone’s first All-Ireland final but only his third Championship game at Croke Park.
But the 24-year-old Breaffy native has brought a calmness and assuredness to the role, pulling off a string of top-class saves against Monaghan, Tyrone and Meath.