Both sides defeated the previous year's finalists, Dublin and Mayo, in their semi-finals to set up this match between "the two great football outposts of the west-coast extremities".

The reasons he suggested for this included, "a) it's a novel pairing b) the semi-finals were of a such a high standard that there's big neutral interest and c) the numbers from each county who will travel back to Ireland – both Kerry and Donegal have a very strong overseas presence in the United States particularly but also farther afield.".

[21][22][23] On the day, Toye and McBrearty were named on the bench – though both featured, and indeed scored, later in the game – while Kavanagh and Darach O'Connor started in their place.

[24] Six players from the 2006 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship semi-final meeting of the counties at Croke Park featured in the 2014 senior final.

These were Michael Murphy, Leo McLoone and Martin McElhinney (Donegal) and Shane Enright, David Moran and Johnny Buckley (Kerry).

[26] Heading into the second half, Donegal took the lead with another point from team captain Michael Murphy, but Kerry quickly answered.

Linesmen: Marty Duffy (Sligo) Pádraig Hughes (Armagh) Sideline Official Rory Hickey (Clare) The Kerry team celebrated the night of the final at the Clyde Court Hotel where Paul Murphy received his man of the match award.