Out on the pitch at the minute is the Kerry team that won the 2000 All-Ireland title following a replay against Galway. Part of that team was Eamonn Fitzmaurice, manager of Kerry when they beat Donegal in the 2014 final.

Ulster champions Donegal began their campaign with a surprise 2-17 to 0-20 defeat against Tyrone in Ballybofey.

The Tir Chonaill men led with eight to play, but Tyrone responded to end Jim McGuinness' perfect record as Donegal manager at MacCumhaill Park.

They bounced back to beat Cavan and Mayo to reach the preliminary quarter-finals where they breezed past Louth 2-22 to 0-12 to progress to the quarter-finals.

Their resolve was tested in the last eight by fellow Ulster side Monaghan, as they were forced to overturn a seven-point half-time deficit to reach the semi-finals.

McGuinness' side, who had looked laboured in the first-half after a six-day turnaround from the Louth win, recovered in the second period to out-scoring Monaghan by 1-15 to 0-5 with a goal from Michael Langan in the 44th minute the major turning point that put the Ulster in control.

After a run of nine games in 12 weeks and three games on the spin, Donegal had a much needed two weeks of rest before their last four tie against surprise package Meath.

They were ruthless in their 3-26 to 0-15 victory over the Royals, showing a greater clinical edge as Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Moore and Conor O'Donnell scored second-half goals which put the result beyond doubt.

Sunday's final will be Donegal's 11th championship game this year, the most any side has played in a single season.

Image source, Getty Images

The grounds staff at Croke Park have had some fun with the pitch markings for today.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The atmosphere is building at Croke Park.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to the culmination of the inter-county GAA season as it's All-Ireland football final day in Croke Park as Donegal take on Kerry.

It's a meeting of the nouveau riche against the old masters as after provincial championships, a group phase and knockout series, we're left with the champions of Ulster and Munster who are both desperate to get their hands on Sam Maguire.

That either, or both, are in this final isn't a great surprise, but perhaps the perceived inevitability of their meeting has fuelled the excitement as is pits two teams of enormous quality in a final duel for football's biggest prize.

Donegal have not been in a final since 2014 when their bid for a third title fell short against Kerry who have suffered more final heartache than joy since, losing finals in 2015, 2019 and 2023, but they did scale the mountain in 2022 to secure a 38th success.

Jack O'Connor's men are laden with talent with Seanie O'Shea shooting the lights out in their quarter-final win over defending champions Armagh, while Paudie Clifford's return to fitness has added another significant string to the Kingdom's bow.

However, it's the Fossa man's younger brother David who all eyes are on today as the 26-year-old may just be coming into his prime, but is already regarded as potentially the best of all time. With so much firepower, Kerry ought to be favourites? Not quite, as this final is widely viewed as a coin flip.

Donegal are led by manager Jim McGuinness who was a player in 1992 when they landed their first All-Ireland title and managed them to their second in 2012.

The Glenties man was at the helm for the final loss in 2014 before departing, but his return to the side-line has translated into another upturn in fortunes for the county.

Their strength is the collective, but they have their own stars in Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh, Oisin Gallen and Michael Langan. How this one goes is anyone's guess, but it is sure to be a thrilling afternoon, so settle in and let us take you through all of the action.

The game will be broadcast live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and we will have live text commentary and in-play clips so you will not miss a minute.

This ought to be special, so sit back and enjoy.

Image source, Inpho