Dublin, Croke Park — This Sunday marks a historic occasion as the Gaelic Athletic Association prepares to crown its 137th All-Ireland senior football champions. The victorious team will lift the prestigious Sam Maguire Cup, first awarded to Bill Squires Gannon of Kildare back in 1928, and hold it for the coming year.
Record-Breaking Attendance Expected
Organizers anticipate a sold-out stadium with approximately 82,300 spectators filling the iconic Dublin venue. Fans arriving early will enjoy a special pre-match entertainment programme called “The Warm Up,” kicking off at 2pm. The show will be broadcast worldwide through GAA.ie/thewarmup, Facebook Live, YouTube, and official @OfficialGAA social media channels.
Star-Studded Presentation Team
The pre-match show will be led by presenters Aisling O’Reilly and Dave McIntyre. They’ll be joined by an impressive lineup of Gaelic football legends:
- Marc Ó Sé – Kerry All-Ireland winning icon
- Rory Kavanagh – Donegal hero from their 2012 championship triumph
- Paddy Andrews – Former Dublin All-Ireland winner
The panel will analyze the upcoming clash and revisit memorable encounters between Kerry and Donegal, who last faced each other in a final in 2014, when Kerry emerged victorious.
Celebrating 25 Years Since Kerry’s 2000 Triumph
A special segment will honor the Kerry squad that won the All-Ireland in 2000, marking their silver jubilee this year. That legendary team, managed by the late Paidí Ó Sé, overcame intense replay battles against Armagh and Galway before claiming the trophy in October 2000. Notably, it was the final year of the straight knockout championship format in GAA history.
Jubilee captain Seamus Moynihan will have the distinguished honor of carrying the Sam Maguire Cup onto the pitch before throw-in.
Pre-Match Entertainment & Fan Experience
Music lovers can enjoy live performances from Fiach Moriarty and John Byrne starting at 1:30pm on the Cusack Stand concourse above the GAA Museum entrance.
Fan engagement activities include:
- Jersey cannons launching free team jerseys into the crowd
- Exclusive competitions for ticket holders
- Pyrotechnic displays and drumming performances
- Pitch pageantry featuring traditional elements
Official Ceremonies
In a significant moment, teams will meet President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at Croke Park for his final official GAA function as Uachtarán. Following tradition, both squads will parade onto the field behind the Artane School of Music band, with additional musical entertainment from Scór champions Drumcliffe Rosses Point from Sligo.
Match Details
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| The Warm Up Show | 2:00 PM |
| Musical Entertainment | 1:30 PM |
| Throw-In | 3:30 PM |
Historical Context
The Sam Maguire Cup has been the ultimate prize in Gaelic football for nearly a century. This final represents another chapter in the rich rivalry between Kerry and Donegal, with both counties boasting proud footballing traditions. Kerry seeks to add to their record tally of titles, while Donegal aims to capture their first championship since 2014.
With everything set for a spectacular occasion, GAA fans across Ireland and around the world are preparing to witness what promises to be one of the most memorable finals in recent championship history.
Live coverage available at GAA.ie and official GAA social media channels.
