Donegal have not been in a final since 2014 when their bid for a third title fell short against Kerry who have suffered more final heartache than joy since, losing finals in 2015, 2019 and 2023, but they did scale the mountain in 2022 to secure a 38th success.

A Sean O’Brien point and a Seanie O’Shea two-point free followed either side of Oisin Gallen’s score and David Clifford struck again after Caolan McGonagle had been turned over to leave Kerry nine up (0-13 to 0-4) and ripping up the pre-game script.