TENS of thousands of Donegal fans descended on Croke Park as the countdown to the kick off is just 60 minutes away.
The man in the middle, Laoise referee Maurice Deegan, will take charge of the throw in at 3.30 pm as Donegal chase its first Sam Maguire trophy since 1992.
And for one fan he spelt out a clear message to Mayo manager James Horan on a placard outside Dublin’s Croke Park stadium: I can’t wait foranother 61 years!!!
Jimmy McGuinness fields an unchanged side from their scintilating performance in the All Ireland semi-final.
Here is the Tale of the Tape:
DONEGAL Paul Durcan, Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn, Eamon McGee, Karl Lacey, Anthony Thompson, Neil Gallager, Rory Kavanagh, Mark McHugh, Leo, McLoone, Ryan Bradley, Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden.
Meath manager James Horan also fields an unchanged side that upset Dublin’s dream of retaining Sam in Ireland’s capital city.
Colm Doyle retains his place despite concerns he might not have been fit to face Donegal in the clash of the titans.
MAYO: David Clarke, Kevin Keane, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle, Barry Moran, Aidan O’Shea, Kevin McLoughlin, James Doherty, Alan Dillon, Enda Varley, Cillian O’Connor and Michael Conr9y.
Meanwhile, its full time in the minor football final with Dublin thumping Meath 0-14 to 1-5, even with a James McEntee consolation goal in added time.