National GAA Leagues: Donegal-Kerry All-Ireland final rematch makes headlines on busy weekend

Outside opinions mean little to Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and his tough approach will continue in Sunday’s All-Ireland final against Kerry in Ballyshannon. [13:30 GMT].

The Kingdom claimed Sam Maguire’s 39th win last summer, beating Donegal 1-26 to 0-19 in the final, as Jack O’Connor’s side exploded into life on their run to the title.

Some have questioned Donegal’s approach in the areas in that match, but McGuinness insists “we will decide what’s right and we won’t listen to anyone else” regarding his side’s tactical approach.

“There are a lot of opinions and a lot of people saying a lot of things but it has no impact on my thinking at all – I don’t listen to those people,” he said after the win over Dublin on Saturday.

“Most of them have never coached at the district level, most of them have never been on the sidelines, and most of them have never won anything as a coach. I only take advice from people who have been there and done that.”

Sunday’s Division I game may not have the same high stakes, but for McGuinness, this will be another step on the road to where they want to be in 2026.

Donegal opened their campaign with a 1-20 to 0-20 win over the Dubs in Croke Park, while Kerry were left trailing by Roscommon in Killarney as Thomas Kennedy snatched victory.

Naturally, there will be keen interest in how this weekend’s game goes and whether there will be tweaks in approach, but it is merely a revenge mission for the Ulster champions according to their coach whose focus is on developing his side for this year’s Championship.

“That game is long over,” he said of last year’s All-Ireland final.

“We’re heading into 2026 now and focused on that. There’s no hangover there, we’re back on the horse, we won our first game and we’ll see what happens next weekend.”