Head-to-Head: This will be the fourth All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Mayo. Their first clash was in 1932, when Kerry won by 2-7 to 2-4. Kerry repeated the success in 1997, winning by 0-13 to 1-7, and also won the 2004 final, 1-20 to 2-9.

The Kingdom also beat Mayo (2-15 to 0-18) in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Mayo's last win over Kerry in the championship was back in 1996, when they won an All-Ireland semi-final by 2-13 to 1-10.

Mayo are seeking their fourth All-Ireland and first since 1951. They are also one game off the double having already won the under-21 title back in June, when they beat Cork in Ennis. Only one under-21 player, captain Keith Higgins, has nailed down a starting berth on the senior team.

Kerry are eyeing a 34th year with Sam Maguire.

All-Ireland SFC Titles

Kerry 33 (1903, 04, 09, 13, 14, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 37, 39, 40, 41, 46, 53, 55, 59, 62, 69, 70, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 84, 85, 86, 97, 2000, 2004).

Mayo 3 (1936, 50, 51).

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Liam McBarron (Fermanagh)

Who will win and why?

"I fancy Kerry. They are a team on serious form, as shown by beating a strong Armagh team and a strong Cork team. Mayo are not going bad either. Their league performances were outstanding. The players have responded to the new manager. They really creamed the Dubs. To come back from seven points down to beat a very good, gallant Dublin team puts them in a nice position."

The Donaghy factor?

"With this new revelation, Kerry are very hard to stop. The man is six-five and is catching everything, as a basketball player should. Height is a big issue. I don't know how you stop such a big guy. You must counteract the ball that is coming into him. And yet the direct-ball style is pure, traditional Kerry football, which they have practically perfected."

Who do you want to win?

"Mayo. I'd just like to see them deny Kerry a 34th All-Ireland. You know, share it around. Not taking away from Kerry, but I'd like to see a new team win it."

Manager Press Conference

This lunch-time, championship sponsors Bank Of Ireland host the now annual pre-final managers' press conference at their Head Office, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. This is the last opportunity to make contact with either team before Sunday.

Unlike the pre-match hype of a big title fight, where outbreaks of violence are not uncommon, this should be a sterile affair. It's more a case of window dressing before the main event: a chance to make Mickey Moran and Jack O'Connor share a top table with Sam Maguire.

Shadow boxing you could call it, but it's still an essential part of All-Ireland week.

Paths to Final

Both Mayo and Kerry started the championship with performances that indicated 2006 would be a forgettable year. Mayo predictably blew London away, but a poor run-out against Leitrim yielded the narrowest of victories before a Connacht final win that owed as much to Galway's ineptness as to Mayo's poise and control.

Laois forced a replay before the Westerners ended Mick O'Dwyer's midland tenure. Then came the most remarkable comeback in living memory, the sinking of a fancied Dublin.

Kerry were unimpressive against Waterford and Tipperary before Cork did them a huge favour: competitive games. The draw and subsequent defeat in the Munster final replay forced Jack O'Connor, a là Mickey Harte and Tyrone last year, to redesign his team mid-championship.

Players came into form and a star was born in Kieran Donaghy. Recent times have proved there is no sterner test than that provided by the mighty Armagh.

- Compiled by Gavin Cummiskey