A healthy crowd got more than their fill of entertainment and expert analysis ahead of next week’s All-Ireland Final as Glenswilly GAA hosted their own version of ‘Up for the Match’ at Pairc Naomh Columba on Friday evening.

Over a two-hour discussion which was nicely controlled by MC Ciaran O’Donnell, four pundits – former Donegal stars Neil Gallagher and Eamon McGee, Sports Journalist Michael Clifford and Tyrone legend Peter Canavan – contributed to a fine in-depth chat which certainly whetted the appetite for Sunday’s big match.

A large number of topics were covered from the rule changes, to the overall standard of the championship, and memories of All-Ireland Final day.

There was plenty to get stuck into regarding the big match itself with tactics and selection calls debated, while the roles that Michael Murphy and David Clifford will play for their respective sides were inevitably brought up.

That was all mixed in with some good-hearted banter and there were no shortage of jibes thrown in for good measure.

Some of the audience at the event.

The affable Gallagher was late arriving as he was out coaching the Donegal Under 16 side, and joked that Jim McGuinness has coaxed him back into training ahead of the final.

“How many water carriers are they allowed,” questioned Canavan, to which Gallagher retorted ‘that there were plenty in Tyrone after last week’.

Gallagher was very much the star of the show with his wit and general outlook, and he championed the case of Niall O’Donnell to get game time in the final, and for Caolan McGonagle to be brought into the starting line-up.

He said: “One moment that stood out (from the semi-final) was when Caolan came on and there was a kick-out out the field and he just thumped it back in with mad aggression.

“It was a massive statement that ‘I’m mad to start in the final’.

“That’s one thing Jim can do is create a team environment that everyone wants to play.”

Canavan reckons the teams are very similar with their strong running power but thinks Donegal have a stronger bench, and feels that they also have an advantage that Kerry’s midfielders won’t be able to match up to Michael Langan.

Canavan also touched on how Donegal could learn from Tyrone’s semi-final defeat against Kerry.

“From a Tyrone perspective, they did a lot well up front and didn’t punish enough but they were very naïve at the back to relation to David Clifford.

“I’ve said it before and I don’t think we have seen anything like him. He’s just an unbelievable player and I think he’s too good to be left one-on-one with anybody.

“Donegal will not make that mistake. I saw the game the other night and there was a goal and three or four points where Tyrone could have had a sweeper back and could have prevented the scores.

“I’m not taking away from David Clifford but Donegal will have their homework done in that regard and the danger will be the other men out the field and the runners coming from deep.”

Brothers Hughie, Dan and Billy McDaid enjoy the evening.

The various individual battles were discussed and McGee is adamant that McGuinness will stick to his usual style even though Kerry have some sparkling attackers.

“Malachy (O’Rourke, Tyrone manager) said he went after Paudie Clifford and Seanie O’Shea to shut out the supply to him (David Clifford) and I don’t think you can do that.

“I felt wild sorry for (Paudie) Hampsey and with McGuinness… Ryan (McHugh) picked up Rory Grugan in the Ulster Final, maybe Ryan will go on Sean O’Shea or Paudie Clifford but he won’t go after the three of them.

“I’d pick up one of them and the shape will take care of the rest of it.”

Michael Clifford has covered a lot of Donegal matches over the last decade as he lives in the county but he is a proud Kerry man.

However, he wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the Kingdom’s chances.

He said: “Donegal have been killing teams all year with their running game.

“Kerry’s big fear when they look at Donegal is staying in the game.

“We’re seeing it particularly in Croke Park where everyone says speed kills.

“Monaghan and Meath were both emptied by the end of the third quarter. They were exhausted from trying to stay with Donegal and matching their runs.

“A lot of people are saying this will be a great final, but you can count the amount of great finals on one hand. I think it will be a very tense final.

He added: “Kerry are going to have to try and take some heat out of the game if they are to live with the speed of Donegal and what’s going to come off the bench with twenty minutes to go.”

Michael Clifford went against his home county when it came to his verdict, and Gallagher and McGee also backed Donegal for Sam.

The final word was reserved for Canavan who said by 5.30pm on Sunday he would like to be able to say “Tyrone were the only team the All-Ireland champions couldn’t beat.”