FEVER PITCH

AS DONEGAL and Kerry fans head for Croke Park today, leading politicians from both counties are convinced their teams will lift the Sam Maguire cup this afternoon.

- BY PAT FLANAGAN

Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae claims "failure is not an option for the Kingdom while Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty will be happy to win by a single point.

What both politicians agree on is that the excitement is at fever pitch in both counties for what, under the new rules, promises to be one of the most exciting All-Ireland's in years.

For Donegal fans it's been a long road to Croke Park as their side will today become the first to play 11 Championship matches in one campaign having had to play a preliminary round game in Ulster.

Kerry supporters on the other hand have had a more direct route to the final, although they had to take something of a detour after their loss to Meath meant they also had to play a preliminary quarter-final.

TD for the county Michael HealyRae, who is also a Government Minister of State, said that Kerry going into the clash as slight favourites won't bother them.

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