This years national football championship final looks set to be out of the ordinary as outsiders Donegal will play for the first time in 20 years in an All-Ireland football final following their surprising win over Cork in Croke Park yesterday. The Ulster team once more provided an upset as this time it was Cork, winners in 2010, who fell to the Ulster champions who continue on their unstoppable march to the final. With victory secured the Ulster champions will now play in this years All-Ireland Football final held in Croke Park on the 22nd September for the first time since 1992.
After leading narrowly by a point going into half-time, Donegal put in a powerful and determined display in the second half to rout the Cork defence and work up a five point lead in the 58th minute. And while the Munster team Cork responded gamely to make up the deficit even scoring a late injury time goal, it was not enough as Donegal held on to win by two points, the score 0-16 to 1-11.
This win straight after their surprising defeat of perennial football champions Kerry in the quarter finals, means the Ulster team cruelly dubbed the “Team Nobody Likes” by pundits and fans due to their perceived defensive and negative play, have defied critics and are on course to win their first football final in 20 years.
With their place in the final now guaranteed, only one team stands between Donegal and the Sam Maguire Cup, a trophy which they won on their last visit to the final back in 1992. That team has yet to be decided as their opponents in the All-Ireland Final will be confirmed this upcoming Sunday 2nd September when Mayo play last years winners Dublin in the other semi-final. Should Dublin win the semis, they will be the 3rd set of recent football champions to face Donegal and with Kerry and Cork already falling, it could be Donegals year.
However Mayo who have so far slipped beneath the radar this season could prove to be the dark horse of the competition. With such surprises throughout this years championship and no clear cut winner in sight the last two games left should prove very entertaining. There has never been a better time to book your Ireland vacations. Contact us today for more information and the best special offers around.