Despite what the experts say the odds are stacked against Donegal in the forthcoming all Ireland semi-final at Croke Park.

Meath has played in 16 All Ireland finals, Donegal has only been involved in three. Meath won seven of those finals, Donegal has only two titles to date.

Both teams started their provincial championships on April 6. Meath have only played seven games since then, already beating Dublin, Kerry and Galway – three big, successful counties who have featured in All Ireland finals over the last three years.

Donegal had to play nine and a half attritional games in the same twelve weeks with only two of those matches against opposition from outside of Ulster, Mayo and Louth.

With the costs of travelling to so many games accumulating it was no surprise that Meath had many more supporters than Donegal at the quarter finals in Dublin last weekend. And it was those fervent supporters who tipped the scales in their favour, helping them to their narrow win against the favourites.

The population of Meath at just over 240,000 is one and a half times more than Donegal’s and anyone who lives there can travel to Croke Park in less than an hour. There’s a grave danger that they will outnumber us on semi-final day. That scenario must be avoided at all costs.

Just one of these teams will play in the All-Ireland final on July 27. Naturally everyone who lives in Donegal, was born in Donegal and many who had the pleasure of spending time in Donegal will hope Jim Mc Guinness and his outstanding team are in Croke Park that day.

Semi- finals are all about winning. Tickets go on public sale this week at the exact same time in both counties. Every club in Donegal is entitled to an allocation. There will be no public sale for the final, so if Donegal reach it very few from the county will be there, so for most supporters next week will be the last outing of the year.

Have no regrets on July 13. Don’t leave witnessing history to chance. If you want to experience Donegal’s fourth semi- final win in 141 years buy your ticket today and if you can bring a car or bus load with you. The schools are closed. A memorable family day out beckons.

Our team has stated repeatedly that their sole focus is to represent the people of Donegal with distinction. They have certainly done that over the last eighteen months, and in turn have given us all a massive boost at a time the county really needed it.

The least the people of Donegal can do to back our wonderful ambassadors is to be present at GAA Headquarters to roar them on to another All Ireland final. Mark my words from experience in 1992, 2012 and 2014 nothing beats being there when Donegal qualifies for an All-Ireland final.

Dún na nGall Abú.

John Boyle

Mullaghduff and Templeogue.