BY MATTHEW WILSON

Jack O’Connor is priming his Kerry senior football side for their latest meeting with Donegal this Sunday in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.

This weekend’s All-Ireland decider will only be the third ever championship meeting between Donegal and Kerry. At present, the record is level at one win apiece with the latest of these meetings ending in a draw in 2019.

Donegal’s championship victory over the Kingdom came in the 2012 All-Ireland quarter-final where Jim McGuinness and Jack O’Connor were also in opposing dugouts.

When asked about the 2012 All-Ireland winning manager at the Kerry All-Ireland final media event last Saturday, O’Connor was highly complimentary.

O’Connor, who is preparing to take charge of his eighth All-Ireland showpiece, stated that McGuinness is a ‘formidable coach’ and is a highly respected individual within Donegal.

“Obviously he is having as big an effect on them this time as he did the first time. He’s a revered figure in the county who is able to unify them and there has been no such thing as players opting out like in previous years. He’s a formidable coach and has improved Donegal to no end.”

Ahead of Sunday’s clash, O’Connor has been handed an injury boost. The Kerry boss revealed that Paul Geaney and Diarmuid O’Connor trained fully last Saturday and look set to return for the meeting with Donegal.

O’Connor hasn’t featured for the side since the preliminary quarter-final against Cavan last month where he was forced off after three minutes. Geaney has been listed in the matchday squad for the matches against Tyrone and Armagh but wasn’t utilised in either contest.

Meanwhile, the Kerry manager has also refused to rule out corner-back Tom O’Sullivan who he hopes will train this week with the side.

“Paul (Geaney) and Diarmuid O’Connor trained fully today (Saturday), and there are a couple more sessions to go, so that’s promising. Tom O’Sullivan isn’t back fully yet, he’s doing bits and pieces, so we’d hope he’d train next week. Outside of that we are not too bad.”

This Sunday’s showpiece will see two sides with contrasting styles of play go head to head.

Jim McGuinness’ Donegal have a very strong, high energy running game. They are well drilled to carry the ball forward through the hands with their array of powerful, athletic players that are spread across the pitch.

On the other hand, Jack O’Connor’s outfit are known more for their traditional kick-passing approach which the Kerry manager states they prefer to do however, the opposition doesn’t always allow it.

“I don’t think there will be too much change in approach from both teams. Yes, we like to kick the ball but the opposition don’t always allow you to do that. You can only play a match that you see in front of you. It depends what the opposition do to your kicking lanes and Donegal have a powerful running game which is natural to them because club football seems to be played like that up there,” said O’Connor.

“It’s a lot to do with the weather up there because it is so windy and not conducive to kicking the ball. While it will be a clash of styles ultimately it comes down to good decision-making and players that are comfortable on the ball. There are a lot of ways to skin a cat and while we will be trying to move the ball as fast as possible, it’s not something that is always possible.”