John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

It was a typical Sunday morning breakfast time on All-Ireland Football Finals weekend in our hotel which shall remain nameless in the interest of BBC guidelines - although many of you may be able to work it out if you care to read on.

Let's just say, we were staying in accommodation with Donegal connections with pictures of the Tir Chonaill's men's 1992 All-Ireland success prominently adorning the walls as we made our way down the stairs. The lifts were working but someone of my vintage always needs that wee bit of exertion.

There was a few Armagh folk not surprisingly looking a little fragile as they attempted to tuck into their full Irish although it appeared that the majority of the exultant Orchard supporters had ventured back home last night in a victory convoy.

There wasn't much chat from the Kerry folk at all, still looking a little shocked at yesterday's events.

The majority of the colours on show were the Donegal yellow and green although the majority of them were keeping their powder dry in just the way their guru Jim McGuinness asks of them.

Turn up, be understatedly modest before suddenly emptying your lungs as soon as the match begins.

Galway supporters appeared to be stationed in other accommodations although there were plenty of them in evidence the nearer we came to headquarters.

The sun was shining brightly (although the forecast says umbrellas may be needed as the throw-in nears), people were smiling and joking but it was the calm before the storm.

If Donegal have the defensive structure in place to curb Galway's attacking prowess then they can reach a first All-Ireland SFC final in a decade, says former county star Brendan Devenney.

Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final looks extremely close to call, with Galway's memorable comeback against outgoing champions Dublin in the quarter-final leading many to regard them as marginal favourites.

Yet Devenney believes Donegal's ability score from all over the pitch will see them progress, providing they are solid at the back.

"Against Louth last time out it was almost like Donegal knew they could score at will because we have so many players breaking the lines," he said.

"We have to be more defensively solid with the threats Galway have up front, but we can play it any way."

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

As throw-in approaches, we have the up-to-date team news with several changes from the sides listed on social media during the week and in the matchday programme.

The headline news is that Galway captain Sean Kelly isn't fit to play - he's replaced by Cein Darcy.

Jim McGuinness makes three changes to the side listed in the matchday programme, with Jeaic Mac Ceallbhui, Daire O Baoill and Niall O'Donnell dropping out, replaced by Jason McGee, Caolan McColgan and Aaron Doherty.

Donegal: S Patton; C Moore, B McCole, E Ban Gallagher; R McHugh, C McGonagle, P Mogan; C Thompson, M Langan; J McGee, S O'Donnell, C McColgan; P McBrearty, O Gallen, A Doherty.

Galway: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, L Silke, S Mulkerrin; P Conroy, C Darcy; M Tierney, J Maher, C McDaid; M Tierney, D Comer, S Walsh.

Image source, BBC Sport

After the troubles of last year, a lot of Donegal people didn't expect to be back in an All-Ireland semi-final so soon, but Jim McGuinness' side have been seriously consistent all year.

You would associate consistency with McGuinness' first spell in charge, and while it would be wrong to paint this side in the exact same light, they do share some key traits.

Scoring heavily, keeping out goals and nullifying key threats. Donegal will bring all three, but beating Dublin gave Galway's challenge a huge shot in the arm.

Galway have been steady this year, and when you think about their road to this point, it's hard not to be impressed. They beat Mayo in a tight Connacht final, faced Armagh and Derry in the group stage and toppled Dublin in the quarter-final.

Galway were able to field their strongest 15 against Dublin. They play with lovely variety and balance, but I'm backing Donegal to draw on the qualities that have gotten them to this stage and make the county's first All-Ireland final in 10 years.

Read more of Michael Murphy's column here

Image source, BBC Sport

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

There was no late night revelry in Dublin for this correspondent after that drama yesterday drained away the limited reserves of energy this fading body possesses.

So it was a case of being tucked up in bed well before midnight in our Dublin hostelry in expectation of another nerve-shredding 75 or perhaps 100 minutes of action today.

Armagh's sensational extra-time victory over Kerry sets up a mouth-watering All-Ireland decider which ever way the chips fall today.

A Donegal win means we'll have a repeat of the Ulster Final and some of us are still recovering from the excitement of that Clones encounter as Jim McGuinness' side snatched victory in the penalty shootout after Kieran McGeeney's men seemed to have the game won in normal time and then extra time.

But there will be a symmetry as well if Galway emerge victorious this afternoon after Armagh reeled them in late on to draw the Super 16s stage clash which meant Padraic Joyce's side had to battle past Monaghan in the preliminary quarter-finals stages before shocking the Dubs in the last eight.

Please don't mention extra time and penalties.....ah there I've gone and done it.

Donegal wore down Louth to book their place in the All-Ireland Football semi-finals for the first time since 2014 with a 1-23 to 0-18 win at Croke Park.

The Ulster champions were strong favourites to see off the beaten Leinster finalists and led 0-11 to 0-8 at the break.

Louth, who combined spirit with high-quality shooting at times, ran out of steam in a dull second half, with their challenge killed off by Eoghan Ban Gallagher's 58th-minute goal.

Donegal, for whom Peadar Mogan again impressed, eased through to set up today's showdown.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Galway produced a superb performance to earn a first championship win over holders Dublin in 90 years with a thrilling 0-17 to 0-16 victory in a gripping All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.

Substitute Tom Culhane’s injury-time score capped off a remarkable second-half showing as Padraic Joyce’s side booked their place in the last four.

In a tame first half, Dublin looked to be cruising to a 16th consecutive semi-final after they took a 0-11 to 0-7 lead into half time.

In the second half, Galway showed more purpose in attack, and despite losing both Walsh and captain Sean Kelly to injury, the Tribesmen could count on Cillian McDaid, Johnny Heaney and Walsh’s replacement Culhane to book an All-Ireland semi-final spot.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Mickey Harte says he wants to return to inter-county management after stepping down as Derry boss earlier this week.

Harte ended his 10-month reign after an All-Ireland quarter-final exit at the hands of Kerry.

"I'm not ready for the pipe and slippers yet," said Harte, who won three All-Ireland titles as Tyrone manager.

"I like what I'm doing - I like managing at this level. We'll see what happens."

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Down manager Conor Laverty has praised the character of his team after their victory over Laois in the Tailteann Cup final.

The Ulster side lost last year's decider but held on for a 0-14 to 2-6 win at Croke Park on Saturday.

Down were easing to victory until until a superb late goal from Mark Barry set up a frantic final few minutes but they did enough to lift the trophy.

"It's great to get over the line - it was a nervy last couple of minutes. We were in a good position but that was a wonder goal.

"That's the brilliant thing this team has brought to the table, the character they have shown, particularly in the last two games at Croke Park where this group has been questioned about their ability to win there."

Read match report here

Image source, Getty Images

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney insists his team can perform even better and has urged his players to “go one more step” after their stunning All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kerry after extra time.

Playing in their first semi-final in 19 years, Armagh came from five points down in normal time to force extra time before winning 1-18 to 1-16 to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2003.

As the enormity of the achievement began to sink in, McGeeney praised his players for their resilience in shrugging off past disappointments and performing at such a high level.

“I think there is more in them," he claimed,

"A lot of our players didn’t play as well as they are capable of and I hope to see that (in the final). I hope they push on and realise that today is a semi-final.

“I want them to enjoy it because they haven’t won one before – but hopefully they can push on and go one more step.”

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Armagh produced a sensational comeback to beat Kerry 1-18 to 1-16 after extra time in a dramatic first All-Ireland Football semi-final at Croke Park.

After leading 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time, Paul Murphy's goal put the Kingdom 1-11 to 0-9 ahead after 46 minutes.

However a goalkeeping mistake by Shane Ryan allowed Barry McCambridge to fist in a 55th-minute Armagh goal which cut Kerry's lead to 1-12 to 1-11.

The game went to extra-time and the influence of the Armagh bench was again emphasised as another substitute Jarly Og Burns edged them ahead once more before Conor Turbitt doubled their advantage by the end of the first period of extra time.

Another replacement Ross McQuillan extended the Orchard County's lead and while scores from Cillian Burke and Paudie Clifford cut Armagh's advantage to the minimum, a Turbitt score closed out the victory as Kieran McGeeney's side clinched a famous victory.

Read more here

After the drama of Armagh's win yesterday we've got another tasty All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to this afternoon.

Donegal will make it an all-Ulster final on 28 July if they overcome Galway at Croke Park.

It's a first semi-final appearance for Donegal since 2014, two years after winning the Sam Maguire Cup.

Jim McGuinness was manager for that triump and his return has sparked a resurgence this year with Donegal securing promtion to Division One before winning the Ulster title.

After seeing off Louth they now face a Galway side which stunned champions Dublin in the quarter-finals.

The Tribesmen won by 15 points when the teams last met in the championship in 2017 but this one is expected to a much tighter encounter.

We'll bring you video and text coverage of the game - thanks for joining us.

Image source, Inpho