Kerry County Council and the town councils of Tralee, Killarney and Listowel are handing out more than 3,000 flags to the county's supporters travelling to this weekend's final. The giveaway is being accompanied by a campaign urging road safety over All-Ireland final weekend.
"Arrive Alive, Ciarraí Abú" is the message. "All-Ireland final day is always a huge occasion and there's going to be a huge number of fans travelling to Dublin for the game," says mayor of Kerry, Ted Fitzgerald.
Even with the road safety message there is common purpose: Mayo County Council is also providing their supporters with car-flags as both counties "have come together" to promote safe driving, Mr Fitzgerald said.
At Tralee's Sportsfield Bar in Boherbee, in the heart of Kerry football, there are more Mayo flags than Kerry. Owned by Damien and Bridie Roche, Damien is from Kerry and Bridie is from Knock, Co Mayo. They met in Dublin, are married 25 years and have three children.
"I have two Mayo flags to every Kerry one. Kerry supporters are sore losers, but they are all saying to me they won't begrudge Mayo if they win," Bridie says.
There will be compensation for customers regardless of the outcome, however. If Mayo win, the pint on Monday will be at €1; if Kerry win it will be at €2.
"I said no matter how much it costs, if Mayo win it will be worth it," says Bridie, who will be at the match.
Bernard Lynch of Tralee, who will travel with his family on Saturday morning with a 3m banner of his friend and Kerry star Kieran Donaghy, points to the real motivation among Kerry fans this year. It is personality-driven and centres on two stars, he says.
Donaghy, who has stolen Kerry hearts, and Colm "the Gooch" Cooper, for whom there is special affection after a tough personal year, are the difference between apathy and excitement this All-Ireland in Kerry, he says.
"To be fair, there is no appetite for Mayo," Mr Lynch says. "People are totally relaxed. If Mayo won, I wouldn't begrudge them. They haven't won since 1951 - but for Kieran and 'the Gooch', I'd love to see Kerry win this year." - Ann Lucey
A bid by the Mayo County Board to dampen local hype and expectation in the approach to Sunday's All-Ireland football final by refusing to reveal any details of the homecoming arrangements has angered and frustrated Garda authorities.
Chief Supt Tony McNamara, head of the Mayo Garda Division, had expressed concern that there could be chaos and confusion and lives could be endangered if the authorities were not given advance notification of homecoming plans.
"In the event of Mayo winning their first All-Ireland senior title in 55 years, there would be huge celebrations," Chief Supt McNamara says. "Large crowds would be congregating possibly after dark. In such a situation I would have huge concerns for public safety."
In the light of Garda concerns, officials from the county board were to meet him last evening to discuss the post-match scenario on Monday when, win or lose, the Mayo team is due to return home.
"I am waiting to see what develops at this meeting," Chief Supt McNamara says. "I am hopeful that all the issues which are of concern to us can be resolved."
The Mayo GAA board had been reluctant to discuss homecoming arrangements out of concern that players might be distracted in the lead-up to their most important game of the year.
"When we announced homecoming details before previous All-Irelands, they were interpreted as victory celebrations and we were accused of being cocky and over-confident," one county board official says. "We don't want this to happen again."
Once again, a ticket drought is the scourge of Mayo supporters, but online auction site eBay is coming to the rescue, albeit at a hefty price. Two premium stand tickets for the big game were being offered on eBay yesterday for €1,270 . . . a whopping €635 each.
As in previous All-Irelands involving Mayo, there is disappointment at the allocation from Croke Park.
"My advice for anyone failing to get a ticket through a club is for them to go to Dublin anyway where they are likely to pick a ticket up before the game," suggests Toni Bourke, secretary of Breaffy GAA Club near Castlebar. - Tom Shiel