McShea's Say: MacCumhaill Park return has potential to spook Cork
A few years ago, Cork turned to one of their own in appointing John Cleary as their football manager.
The Rebel County seldom, if ever, look beyond their own borders for a manager in hurling or football.
A popular choice, Cleary has energised the camp. The older players respect him from his playing days, while the younger Turks have responded well to the discipline and camaraderie he has brought to proceedings.
Cork had a good league campaign, while they went neck and neck with Kerry for three quarters of the Munster final.
For Donegal, there is only so much that the management can do to prevent the hype from getting to their players because, since that wonderful display in Killarney, the whole county has been crackling with excitement about the team's potential this year.
There is only so much mentors can do to insulate the team from football-mad people ravenous for Donegal's third Sam Maguire.
Donegal had mental toughness and enthusiasm to spare when they headed to Killarney, but the question on many supporters' lips was: how would they respond to the Down defeat?
Donegal's answer was to play like a team that never had any fear in its own ability. As a team, they looked like a side that never worried about the possibility of playing badly because they always seemed to believe they would play well.
I believe some opposition players are spooked by playing in MacCumhaill Park.
The one thing that remains constant in Donegal is the wonderful support for the team. That can never be taken for granted. While Donegal have a lot of very young and talented players, they are still expected to win, and that should never change.
This year's championship has featured football of the highest quality, and teams like Westmeath have enlivened a campaign full of possibilities.
Donegal produced a sublime display of total football in Kerry and, even allowing for the Kerry sending-off, they were rapacious and disciplined in defence. There was also a hypnotic quality to their passing, movement off the ball and score-taking.
When one talks about Cork football, the first name mentioned is their exceptional forward, Stephen Sherlock. He is a real talent.
Donegal have the perfect foil for Sherlock in Finnbarr Roarty, whose exuberance, coupled with a masterclass in discipline, was a joy to watch when he totally outplayed Paudie Clifford in Killarney.
Cork did play very well in putting Meath to the sword last time out, and their determination in the second half was most impressive and effective.
The case for Cork on Sunday has to be their resilience, industry and, at times, the underrated quality of some of their forwards.
I have high hopes for Donegal this year. We talk a lot about coaches, tactics and the importance of supporters, and all of them are very important. But if a team doesn't have four or five great players, it won't go anywhere.
That is the reason why I see Donegal beating Cork: simply because I believe Donegal have more great players than Cork.