Kingdom forward Kieran Donaghy is one of the potential stars of today's match, and as the build-up reaches the final hours, the pre-match ritual is fine tuned and all the big preparations have been done, he says that the Kerry supporters have a big role to play today.

"The fans might not realise the important role that they play. Running down the Croke Park tunnel, it really is lights, camera, action! Then you look around and you see all the green and gold and hear the fans cheering," he enthuses..

"We need every one of them in Croke Park on Sunday. It is when we are down in a game that we need them most. After that it is up to us as a team to go out and to play to the best of our ability and hope that that will be good enough on the day."

And Donaghy, who appears in his third All-Ireland final today, says it's the only show in town for any Gaelic footballer – who wants to, or plays football; at the top level.

"Without a doubt an All-Ireland final is a great honour for anybody to play in and it's a great honour for us to put the Green and Gold on our backs, and run out on Croke Park and represent Kerry in the biggest day of the football calendar," he said.

"We're looking forward to it and that's the real motivation to get another All-Ireland final medal in the back pocket."

The father of the Austin Stacks clubman is a Tyrone native, but is 100% behind his son in the quest for three-in-a-row today.

Oliver Donaghy lives in Omagh; his house decorated with Green and Gold – in an estate where the red and white of Tyrone are the prevalent colours.

He has no hesitation when asked whom he will be supporting today.

"Kieran Donaghy, my son, wearing the green and gold of Kerry and playing his father's county in the All-Ireland final – I'm really looking forward to the game."

He added: "I'll be shouting for that young lad of mine wearing the number 14 jersey for Kerry."

Meanwhile Kerry midfielder Daragh Ó Sé is thrilled to be back from suspension, after sitting out Kerry's All-Ireland semi-final replay against Cork.

"You would be kind of pulling your hair out at times and you could be kicking balls with the lads, but to be fair to the lads they done exceptionally well," he said.

"All of the young lads and everybody that came on played superbly well. Paul Galvin and myself were just 'oh so lucky' for the lads to give us an opportunity to be involved in a final."

Despite being one of the veteran players on this Kerry panel, Ó Sé concedes he still gets nervous ahead of occasions like today.

"I'm always nervous before big games. In fairness, work-wise, people come up to you and it's exciting. But at the same time you have to maintain your focus within reason but you can overplay it as well."

"You can overplay it in your own head and it's good to go to work. I find work helps me that I can get out and about."