Are you ready?
The Gathering will start a year ahead of schedule today.
Tens of thouands of Donegal people, many from the four corners of the globe, will be back in Donegal for the All Ireland Final, up to 40,000 of them at Croke Park (or in Dublin at least).
They may have strange lilts to their accents and some may never have seen this Donegal team play together.
Others may have followed the meteoric rise of Jim McGuinness from unwanted manager and washed –up team to a team of unbeatables.
But all believe that Donegal’s destiny is only a few hours away – exactly 20 years after they first took Sam Maguire to the Hills of Donegal.
In recent days they have tied bunting and flags to every lamppost from Lifford to Lettermacaward in support of their team.
Sheep have been painted, cars have been customized and honeymoons have been cancelled.
Fifteen warriors and one general are hoping to win the biggest battle of their young lives.
And today they will board dozens of buses, fill up hundreds of cars and take every last seat on board planes from Donegal Airport.
We all have the same purpose, to etch Donegal’s name on the Sam Maguire Cup for only the second time in our history.
Say it loud and say it proud – Tir Chonaill Abu.
We believe in you Jim and the boys.
Let battle commence.
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