DONEGAL manager Jim McGuinness says his players are looking forward to Sunday’s clash with Kerry at Croke Park.
“It’s the type of draw players in the squad would’ve been looking forward to their whole careers,” said the boss.
“Kerry in Croke Park in the Championship is something that has never happened before and it’s something we can look forward to. Kerry have huge pedigree and will be very hard to beat.”
Sunday’s match is part of a double-header with the Donegal game throw-in at 4pm.
A huge exodus of Donegal fans is expected in the capital for the game.
“It’s a great day for supporters and I would feel myself it’s a great draw for the players as it’s something they’ve never experienced before in the championship,” said Jim.
“It’ll be something special and you’d imagine there would be a huge Donegal support travelling up for it and it should make for a huge occasion.”
Kerry have bounced back from an indifferent season and are now playing some of their best football.
Manager Jack O’Connor is also looking forward to the big match, and is aware of Donegal’s progress since last year.
“These Donegal fellas have pushed back the frontiers in terms of fitness and tackling and getting a great defensive system,” said the Kerry legend
“It’ll be a huge challenge for us to break that down. We’re not expecting a pile of pretty football in Croke Park.
“I was in Croke Park last year (for Donegal/Dublin) and it was Gaelic football as we’ve never seen it before. And that’s a massive challenge for us as coaches and players and management to break it down,” O’Connor added.
“Jim McGuinness has a fantastic system going for them and they’ve improved from last year when they were only a kick of a ball from getting to a final. It’s going to be a huge test.”
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