THERE is an incredible buzz in Donegal this week as we gear up for only our fourth All-Ireland Final.

The county looks fantastic with green and gold flags, bunting and signs to be seen in every town and back road.

These are special days and everyone wants to make the most of them.

I was thinking back to 1992 and the week leading up to the final was the longest of my life.

Now it was different in the sense that we had five weeks from the semi-final to the decider, whereas there is only a fortnight this time.

However when you get to this stage of the week all the planning and preparation is done, and it just becomes about waiting until Sunday afternoon.

You’re just trying to stay out of the way. Remain in the usual routine regarding work and try to make sure you’re staying fresh.

Of course back in my day, there was no social media so you could keep the head down that little bit easier.

Now between new songs, podcasts and stories, you’d probably just have to delete all the apps in your phone to try and stay away from the hype.

The team will head away on Saturday afternoon and they will just relax for the evening.

In 1992, we went out to the dogs in Shelbourne Park and I remember seeing the huge crowds when we were going down O’Connell Street. I’d imagine this year’s team will probably stay closer to the hotel!

All-Ireland Final days don’t come around too often. This is only Donegal’s fourth final in 141 years and you have to try and enjoy it.

You’ll have supporters that were there when things weren’t going so well and they can take a real kick now that the team has momentum.

And for the players, getting to play in an All-Ireland Final for your county is just a huge honour.

When you’re out kicking the ball in the garden after watching a big game on TV, it all seems so far away and yet the Donegal team will take centre stage on Sunday.

You think of the club coaches from Under 6 right up to seniors who have played their part in helping the players reach and thrive at elite level.

You just hope that everything goes well for the players now and that they are fit to take to the field and give the best account of themselves that they can.

Kerry

It’s a difficult final to call and both Donegal and Kerry will travel to Headquarters with firm belief that they can win.

There are no big underdogs or teams that will have to set up differently than they normally do.

Both teams have their own style and they will stick to that.

Everything is in place for the teams but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.

If you look at the All-Ireland Hurling Final last week, Cork had a sizeable lead at half-time and looked well on course for victory.

If Patrick Horgan had scored that free straight after the restart, Tipperary may have dropped their heads.

However in the end, the Cork challenge just collapsed and they only scored two points.

You wonder how exactly that happened ? There’s bound to be answers somewhere and there had to be a serious flaw in Cork’s system and plan.

Both Donegal and Kerry have strong management teams and they will have trawled through hours and hours of video footage to get their teams ready and I can’t see any team being over-run this Sunday.

I was asked earlier this year who I felt the contenders for Sam were and I said Kerry, Donegal, and Galway.

The Tribesmen faded away and just didn’t look themselves but Donegal and Kerry have been strong throughout the campaign.

The sides met in February in the league and while there were key men missing on both sides that day, I would say they have been on each other’s radar since then.

Both teams will have been keeping a close eye. The work didn’t just begin ten days ago, that’s for sure.

Kick-outs have a huge say with the new rules and they will be massive again on Sunday.

I’d back Shaun Patton every day of the week. For me, he’s the best ‘keeper in Ireland.

Kerry will be trying to set traps but I think Shaun will be happy to go long.

I feel we may have an advantage in height and physicality with Michael Langan, Michael Murphy, Hugh McFadden, Ciaran Thompson, Jason McGee and Caolan McGonagle all likely to feature at some stage.

If Donegal can get on top of the midfield battle then I feel we will have the efficiency in attack.

Kerry have done well in the middle but this will be a big test for them.

The word is that Diarmuid O’Connor is close to a return. He’s a classy operator but he has a shoulder problem that probably requires surgery.

They might strap him up and they’ll try to get Tom O’Sullivan right as well. You’ll do whatever it takes to declare yourself available but the reality is you can’t afford to be flat or off the pace against this Donegal team.

There are doubts over Paul Geaney as well but he has been in the matchday 26 for the last two matches.

Paul has caused Donegal problems in the past and there will be no tears here if he spends a lot of time on the bench on Sunday.

People love to get into match-ups and who will pick up who but Donegal don’t feed into that hugely.

McCole

Brendan McCole will track David Clifford and Donegal will have a plan for Paudie Clifford when he enters the ‘45’ and it could be Ryan McHugh again. He has done marking jobs before for Donegal and was tasked with Rory Grugan against Armagh.

McGuinness, even going back to his first big game in 2011 against Tyrone when he went after Brian McGuigan, has always tried to lock down the playmaker.

Kerry loves to kick the ball but they will know the danger of giving it away cheaply. However, if there’s a chance to move it quickly on the transition then you can be sure they will.

Much has been made about how much Donegal run the ball but for me, Kerry don’t have an ideal marker for Michael Murphy and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some diagonal balls going in his direction early on.

I can’t see anything other than a tight match and the respective benches are going to have a big say.

Donegal will unleash Patrick McBrearty, Jason McGee, and Daire Ó Baoill in the second half and it won’t weaken the team in any way.

But Kerry will have quality subs as well. Killian Spillane has done damage to Donegal before going back to the 2014 Minor Final, likewise with Micheal Burns who impressed off the bench against Armagh.

It’s going to be an entertaining contest and you’re going to have two of the best ever forwards we have seen at opposite ends of the field.

David Clifford is a machine and if he starts well, you can be sure he will be celebrating to the crowd.

Michael Murphy will wear 14 for Donegal, and what a story it would be for him if he could get a second All-Ireland after stepping away from intercounty football for two years.

Michael owes Donegal nothing and the whole county would be thrilled for him if he gets his hands on Sam once again.

I know a lot of the boys very well and they have given tremendous service to the county over the last seven or eight years.

They have made huge sacrifices and I would love it if they could get the top medal.

It will be tight and I expect a really close finish. Donegal will have to battle hard against a Kerry side who have upped their workrate this year.

But I feel if Donegal can get a grip on the Cliffords, then they will have the spread of scorers that they need to go and win our third All-Ireland title.