Donegal claimed their first National Football League title in 19 years with a dominant 3-20 to 2-10 victory over Kerry at Croke Park. The Donegal manager Jim McGuinness described himself as "delighted" after his team reversed last summer's All-Ireland final result with a comprehensive win. The triumph marks Donegal's second league title overall and represents a significant turnaround from their previous encounter.

Kerry had defeated Donegal in last year's All-Ireland final, but this time the roles were emphatically reversed. Donegal's midfield dominance proved crucial, with McGuinness noting they "won in that key area" around the middle of the field. The team's early pressure on Kerry's kick-outs created the platform for their success, allowing them to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the match.

The victory was sealed with an incredible three-goal blitz in three second-half minutes, complementing four successful two-pointers compared to none in last summer's final defeat. McGuinness emphasized how winning the ball early and applying pressure on Kerry's restarts put his team in advantageous positions. "If that's not happening, you're in real bother," he explained, highlighting the tactical importance of their approach.