Manus Boyle: Kerry swagger won’t ruffle Donegal in All-Ireland final

Manus Boyle says Jim McGuinness and Donegal will have a wide variety of motivation as they look to topple Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC final.

McGuinness, his assistants Colm McFadden and Neil McGee, as well as the likes of captain Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh and Hugh McFadden were all part of the Donegal set-up back in 2014 when Eamonn Fitzmaurice plotted Donegal’s downfall.

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It’s probably something that they’ve never quite moved on. So to win the All-Ireland would be something but to do it at Jack O’Connor’s side’s expense, that would be extra sweet.

And while Boyle says Donegal might not have the same tradition and pedigree as Kerry when it comes to All-Ireland final day, the 1992 All-Ireland winner says his old teammate McGuinness won’t let that be any kind of hindrance in the lead-in.

On the contrary, the former All-Star forward expects Donegal and their boss to use all of that as fuel over the course of the next week or so.

“The build-up to an All-Ireland final is just brilliant, it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your days as it’s so unique.

“By that I mean they are ordinary lads, working and out doing everyday things. The Kerry thing - I’m a huge fan of their attitude.

“A little like Liverpool or Manchester United, they look at themselves as the aristocrats of Gaelic football.

“Their attitude is ‘come catch us, come find us’. And that’s what the likes of Brian McEniff, Tom Conaghan, PJ McGowan and Jim McGuinness have all tried to do.

“We now have players that can stand up to that, I feel, right now. History casts a long shadow but Donegal won’t fear or be intimidated by any of that.

“When we take to the pitch in two weeks’ time, those lads will be going out for all the supporters but also for anyone who was ever fortunate enough to represent Donegal in the past.

“Donegal and Jim McGuinness’ mindset will be ‘we’re entitled to be here’. And I just hope the reward for all the hard work is seeing Patrick McBrearty climb the Hogan Stand steps and lifting the Sam Maguire”.