Preview: All-Ireland SFC Final - Kerry v Mayo

Sunday July 26

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final

Kerry v Mayo, Croke Park, 3.30pm, RTE/BBC

It has been an inter-county Gaelic Footballing campaign dripping with thrills and spills. So, intrigue certainly surrounds Sunday's decider at GAA headquarters.

Momentum has been generated by an emerging Mayo outfit, sprinkled with talented youngsters, but Kerry, the standard bearers will be a formidable test.

Andy Moran's charges, though, boosted by wins over Meath, Cork, and Louth will believe that Sam Maguire can be hoisted for the first time since 1951. Between 1989 and 2012, Mayo have endured 11 final losses and two draws.

Nonetheless, the development of Eoin McGreal, Darragh Beirne, and Kobe McDonald has added energy and hope. Sam Callinan, Enda Hession, Jordan Flynn, Jack Carney, and Ryan O'Donoghue are contributing handsomely too for Mayo.

Goalkeeper Jack Livingstone is another player delivering for Mayo, who have responded admirably to Championship losses against Roscommon and Tyrone. Moran's passion for the Mayo cause is undiminished and they head for the capital heartened.

For Kerry, it has been a challenging stint injury wise, but as the Championship has evolved Jack O'Connor's options increased. Undoubtedly, the depth of the Kerry panel was examined throughout 2026, but the bluebloods found a way to survive.

Even following League Final and Championship defeats to Donegal, Kerry remained calm. The comprehensive Fitzgerald Stadium All-Ireland SFC Round One reversal to Donegal might have completely derailed another team. Not Kerry.

Kildare, Armagh, Tyrone, and Dublin have all been beaten in the knockout stages. Resilience needed to be demonstrated on the journey.

David Clifford continues to script new chapters in his career. The Fossa attacker remains influential and prolific. Brother Paudie Clifford is pulling the strings with trademark class and conviction too. Who will Mayo deploy on the Clifford brothers?

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Shane Murphy has enjoyed a splendid 2026. Measured kickouts and smart reflexes have been a feature of Kerry's matches.

Jason Foley's durability and defensive nous was perfectly illustrated against Dublin. Mike Breen's assured play at centre back, and ability to stitch things together is exemplary.

Kerry have plenty of players capable of securing primary possession - Seán O'Brien, Mark O'Shea, Joe O'Connor, and Diarmuid O'Connor are all capable fetchers.

Seán O'Shea mattered deeply against Dublin too, supplying vital scores when required on his welcome return to starting action. Dylan Geaney has flourished on the Croke Park stage for club and county. Everywhere you turn Kerry possess quality.

Mayo will be fully aware of that, but they're armed with a bit of hope too.

Being solid defensively as a unit is one significant mission Mayo will be particularly intent on accomplishing. Kerry have netted 14 goals in seven matches, and the majors were key against Dublin.

At the opposite end of the field, Mayo's emerging players will be hoping to maintain their upward trajectory alongside O'Donoghue inside.

It should be lively.

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O'Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O'Shea, Seán O'Brien; Joe O'Connor, Seán O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor; Paudie Clifford, David Clifford, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Shane Ryan, Evan Looney, Tomás Kennedy, Keith Evans, Paul Geaney, Armin Heinrich, Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Tadhg Morley, Micheál Burns, Tom O'Sullivan, Killian Spillane.

Mayo: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Tuohy, Jack Carney; Stephen Coen, Conor Loftus, Jordan Flynn; Darragh Beirne, Ryan O'Donoghue, Kobe McDonald.

Subs: Rob Hennelly, Fenton Kelly, Paddy Durcan, Rory Brickenden, Conal Dawson, Aidan O'Shea, Mattie Ruane, Paul Towey, Diarmuid O'Connor, Tommy Conroy, Cian McHale.

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).