Donegal 'deserve the right' to face Kerry in final

Jim McGuinness guided Donegal to the All-Ireland in 2012 and the final two years later - when they lost to Kerry

Jim McGuinness says his Donegal side have "deserved the right" to play for an All-Ireland championship against Kerry.

Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Moore and Conor O'Donnell netted second-half goals as Donegal swatted Meath aside by 3-26 to 0-15 in their semi-final.

Donegal are aiming to win a first Sam Maguire since 2012 while Kerry, who battled past Tyrone on Saturday, last triumphed in 2022.

"We know what we will get with Kerry, they are a team who know their way around Croke Park like the back of their hand," McGuinness told BBC Sport.

"They know how to win an All-Ireland so it's a massive, massive challenge but we've deserved the right to play that game and I'm delighted they've got that opportunity.

"Please god, now they can take it."

Meath's run to the semi-finals had been the story of the inter-county season and they had beaten Dublin, Kerry and Galway in a memorable year.

However, Donegal proved to be too big an ask as the Ulster champions ran out comfortable winners at Croke Park.

McGuinness' side held a five-point margin at the break but goals from Gallen, Moore and man-of-the-match O'Donnell were more than enough to book their place in the final on 27 July.

"Full credit to the boys, they have done a brilliant job, and we got over the line today," McGuinness added.

"I don't know about ruthless, but it was something we wanted to bring to the table, the opportunity to score goals and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

"It had gone well in training in the last number of weeks, we felt there was a bit of a freshness in the group and thankfully it translated."

McGuinness is in his second spell as manager after guiding Tír Chonaill to the Sam Maguire in 2012.

He also led Donegal to the final two years later when they lost to Kerry.

McGuinness said it was important to let the supporters enjoy the two-week build-up to the decider but "we have a job to do".

"We have to keep on the job now, prepare as best we can and stay focused on the things that are important.

"I think the other part of it is very important for the fans but it's important that the two don't get diluted.

"We have to bring the highest level possible to our performance."