By Diarmaid Doherty

Michael O’Connor offers a wry smile when he weighs up the excitement and expectation among Donegal supporters in the lead-up to Sunday’s game.

The Kerry native, who has been living in Donegal since moving here in 2002, can understand why so many fans are predicting another All-Ireland win for their team.

But he insists that choosing a winner before a ball is thrown in is not easy.

“Can you foresee what will happen on the day? I don’t think you can,” he says.

“A bit of bad luck can go against you – an injury, a sending off – it could be anything. There could be nerves too.

“No matter how well you are prepared, there is always something that can catch you.”

Michael remembers a similar expectation among Donegal fans ahead of the 2014 final. He was at the game along with his wife Maureen and recalls a poor final which would go the way of his team.

“Hopefully this game on Sunday will be better,” he said, adding that Donegal’s performances, particularly in the victories over Monaghan and Meath, have been outstanding.

“Donegal, when they attack, they really attack,” he said.

“They are totally committed when they are going forward. There is no hesitance. And then the way they can regroup in defence is very impressive.

“Kerry have a massive job on their hands.

“People are on about David Clifford, but he alone isn’t going to win it for Kerry, it has to be a collective.

“It’s the same way as Michael Murphy isn’t going to win it on his own for Donegal.

“In fairness, there is probably a bit of pressure on those two players to produce a performance.”

The divided loyalties in the O’Connor home will be tested to the limit on Sunday. Maureen (née McLaughlin) is a native of Downings and her family has very strong links with the local club. Her cousin Keelan McGroddy is part of the Donegal panel.

Michael and Maureen have three children, Aoife, Clodagh and Diarmaid – the two girls having played with Letterkenny Gaels and Clodagh also featuring on a number of Donegal teams at underage level including the All-Ireland winning minor side of 2023.

Michael’s contribution to ladies football in the club has been exceptional, passing on the knowledge and experience garnered from his home club in Kerry, St Michael’s Foilmore.

He set up the club’s first underage girls team shortly after being encouraged to play with the club himself by his friend, Enda Mannion, and Gaels now boast a hugely successful ladies set-up with Michael now managing the senior ladies team.

He has also coached and managed the men’s senior team, both at Gaels and at Gaeil Fhánada.

“I had a couple of great years down at Fanad and it was brilliant to get to work with so many good players there,” he said.

“They love their football in Fanad and I still have many good friends there.”

Still known by many who have played on his teams as ‘Kerry Mike’, Michael’s Kerry accent and his passion for the game are as strong as they’ve ever been.

He’s almost at his happiest when he’s talking football and tactics.

And whether that’s how to stop the Clifford brothers in Croke Park on Sunday, or how his Gaels senior ladies team will line out in a challenge match against Sean MacCumhaill’s next Wednesday night – it’s all just as important to Michael.

“That’s the beauty of it all,” he points out.

“After Sunday, whatever way the game goes, you move on and get yourself ready for the next game.

“But Sunday should be great. A big crowd and two fantastic teams and hopefully we’ll get a good game.”