2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final

{{Short description|none}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox football match | title = 2012 All-Ireland Football Championship final | image = | event = 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship | team1 = Donegal | team1association = 40px | team1score = 2–11 (17) | team2 = Mayo | team2association = 40px | team2score = 0–13 (13) | details = | date = 23 September 2012 | stadium = Croke Park | city = Dublin | man_of_the_match1a = Michael Murphy<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338771-murphy-hails-donegals-character/|title=Michael Murphy hails the character of All-Ireland football champions Donegal|publisher=RTÉ|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171107/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338771-murphy-hails-donegals-character/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> | referee = Maurice Deegan (Laois) | attendance = 82,269 | weather = Partly Cloudy {{convert|14|°C|°F}}<ref>[https://www.met.ie/climate/monthly-weather-reports.asp Met Eireann: Monthly Summaries - September 2013]</ref> | previous = 2011 | next = 2013 }} The '''2012 All-Ireland Football Championship final''', the 125th event of its kind and the culmination of the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, was played at Croke Park, Dublin, on 23 September 2012. Donegal and Mayo, widely considered "one of the most novel final pairings of all time",<ref>{{cite news|first=Séamus|last=Leonard|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0921/338517-donegal-v-mayo-preview-and-analysis/|title=All-Ireland preview: Donegal v Mayo|publisher=RTÉ|date=21 September 2012|access-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171157/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0921/338517-donegal-v-mayo-preview-and-analysis/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Frank|last=Roche|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/jimll-fix-it-for-donegal-to-dollop-misery-over-mayo/28848559.html|title=Jim'll fix it for Donegal to dollop misery over Mayo: McGuinness's men have the discipline, fitness and mentality to realise their All-Ireland target|work=Evening Herald|date=22 September 2012|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Keith|last=Duggan|title=Sam heads for the hills as Donegal turn perceived football wisdom on its head|work=The Irish Times|date=24 September 2012|quote=In what was one of the most novel and highly anticipated All-Ireland finals for years, nothing turned out quite the way people thought it would. In the hours before the throw-in, the streets and pubs around the Jones's Road cathedral were heavy with expectation from both sets of supporters.}}</ref> met to decide the destination of the Sam Maguire Cup, with Donegal ultimately emerging victorious as Mayo were yet again undone by "the curse".<ref>{{cite news|first=Edel|last=O'Connell|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/the-curse-raises-its-head-again-3239584.html|title='The curse' raises its head again|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

Dublin were the defending champions after defeating Kerry by a single point, 1–12 to 1–11, in the 2011 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0918/dublin_kerry.html |title=Cluxton the hero as Dublin win All-Ireland|publisher=RTÉ|date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923161110/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0918/dublin_kerry.html |archive-date=23 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/14946151.stm|title=All-Ireland Football Final: Dublin 1–12 1–11 Kerry|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=18 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011|archive-date=19 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919011045/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/14946151.stm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Neither side made it to the 2012 decider; Mayo defeated defending champions Dublin by three points in their semi-final encounter and Donegal defeated Kerry at the quarter-final stage. After the game, Neil Lennon offered Donegal manager Jim McGuinness a professional role as a performance consultant at Celtic F.C.'s Lennoxtown training centre.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Henderson|title=Highly-rated Jim McGuinness joins Celtic|work=Celtic F.C. announcement|date=9 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/20254492|title=Donegal GAA boss Jim McGuinness accepts Celtic role|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=9 November 2012|access-date=9 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/20254492|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/1109/344911-mcguinness-takes-up-celtic-coaching-role/|title=Jim McGuinness takes up part-time performance consultant role with Celtic|publisher=RTÉ|date=9 November 2012|access-date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171543/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/1109/344911-mcguinness-takes-up-celtic-coaching-role/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

The match was screened live internationally, including in Australia, India, South Africa, Thailand, the United States, and elsewhere, while cinemas also showed the game.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alison|last=Healy|title=GAA expects All-Ireland final to net huge global audience|work=The Irish Times|date=20 September 2012}}</ref> More than a quarter of Ireland's population watched the match live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Online, the second highest audience in eight years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0924/338928-huge-tv-audience-watched-donegals-win/|title=Huge TV audience watched Donegal's win|publisher=RTÉ|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171654/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0924/338928-huge-tv-audience-watched-donegals-win/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Donegal's success spawned a controversial interview with Ryan Tubridy on ''The Late Late Show'' the following week, as well as the documentary ''Jimmy's Winnin' Matches''—its title derived from the similarly named anthem that celebrated Donegal's 2012 Championship success.

==Paths to the final== {{main article|2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship}} Donegal progressed directly to the All-Ireland SFC quarter finals after retaining the Ulster Senior Football Championship following victories against Cavan,<ref>{{cite news|first=Cliona|last=Foley|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/donegal-dispose-of-hylands-young-guns-3113027.html|title=Donegal dispose of Hyland's young guns|work=Irish Independent|date=21 May 2012|access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> Derry,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0616/325294-donegal-derry/|title=Donegal 2–13 Derry 0–09|publisher=RTÉ|date=16 June 2012|access-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171842/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0616/325294-donegal-derry/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Tyrone<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0630/327236-tyrone-donegal/|title=Tyrone 0–10 Donegal 0–12|publisher=RTÉ|date=30 June 2012|access-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329171944/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0630/327236-tyrone-donegal/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> and Down.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0722/330139-donegal-beat-down-to-claim-ulster-title/|title=Donegal 2–18 Down 0–13|publisher=RTÉ|date=22 July 2012|access-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172021/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0722/330139-donegal-beat-down-to-claim-ulster-title/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> They defeated Kerry at this stage; it was the first championship meeting between the sides at senior level. Kerry had been defeated at this stage only once before.<ref>{{cite news|title=Donegal Topple Kerry to Set up Semi with Cork|work=98FM|date=5 August 2012|quote=Karl Lacey's injury-time point booked a date with Cork for the Ulster champions, who handed Kerry only their second-ever All-Ireland quarter-final defeat.}}</ref> Donegal played Cork in the semi-finals. Cork were favourites to win both the match and the championship,<ref>{{cite news|first=Mary|last=Hannigan|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0827/1224323032489.html|title=Donegal may be in a league of their own, but no it's not rugby|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 August 2012|access-date=27 August 2012|quote=Over on BBC Northern Ireland they were no less befuddled... 'Predictions?' asked Austin O'Callaghan. Jarlath [Burns of Armagh]: 'Cork'. Mickey [Harte of Tyrone]: 'Cork'. Paddy [Bradley of Derry]: 'Cork'. [...] Final whistle. 'Well?' asked Austin, but his guests didn't really know where – or how – to start.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172136/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/donegal-may-be-in-a-league-of-their-own-but-no-it-s-not-rugby-1.543675|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> but Donegal reached the final following a 0–16 – 1–11 (14 points) victory. Tyrone's Mickey Harte, a BBC analyst that day, expressed his shock: "To be honest, I could not see that coming. Donegal annihilated Cork, there is no other word for it."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/19371945|title=Donegal annihilate Cork in All-Ireland Football semi-final|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=26 August 2012|access-date=26 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172234/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19371945|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Martin McHugh, a member of the successful 1992 side, said it was the best ever performance by any Donegal team, including his own.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/northern-ireland/19387607|title=McHugh applauds 'best ever' Donegal team|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=26 August 2012|access-date=26 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172332/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19387607|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

Mayo defeated Leitrim<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/moran-on-double-as-ruthless-mayo-swat-leitrim-aside-3147791.html|title=Moran on double as ruthless Mayo swat Leitrim aside|work=Irish Independent|date=25 June 2012|access-date=25 June 2012}}</ref> and Sligo<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0715/329247-mayo-edge-out-yeats-men-in-connacht/|title=Mayo 0–12 Sligo 0–10|publisher=RTÉ|date=16 July 2012|access-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172422/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0715/329247-mayo-edge-out-yeats-men-in-connacht/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> to win the Connacht Senior Football Championship and also progress directly to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. They then defeated Down to reach a semi-final against Dublin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0804/332105-mayo-claim-semi-final-spot-against/|title=Mayo 3–18 Down 2–09|publisher=RTÉ|date=4 August 2012|access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/19459206|title=Mayo to play Donegal in All-Ireland Football decider|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=2 September 2012|access-date=2 September 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172615/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19459206|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> They went into the game as underdogs, but won on a 0–19 – 0–16 scoreline. It had the highest attendance of the season prior to the final (81,364).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0902/335966-mayo-shock-dublin-to-reach-decider/|title=Dublin 0–16 Mayo 0–19|publisher=RTÉ|date=2 September 2012|access-date=2 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172718/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0902/335966-mayo-shock-dublin-to-reach-decider/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

==History== Donegal had not contested the final since their victory in 1992. Mayo last reached the final in 2006, although they had not won the championship since 1951<ref>{{cite news|title=Time mayo did more than talk the talk|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=1 September 2012}}</ref> despite contesting the final five times. The two counties had never previously met in an All-Ireland SFC final; their only previous championship meeting was a semi-final in 1992.

This was the first final between counties from the provinces of Connacht and Ulster since 1948.<ref>McHugh, Martin; Cahill, Des. Highlights of the Dublin versus Mayo semi-final. ''The Sunday Game''. RTÉ Television. 2 September 2012.</ref>

==Pre-match== ===Player death=== Andrew Duffy, a player on the Termon football team in Donegal, drowned in Dublin after watching Donegal defeat Cork in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/gaa-fan-andrew-laid-to-rest-in-termon-1-4213376|title=Andrew Duffy funeral in Termon|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|date=30 August 2012|access-date=30 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172841/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/gaa-fan-andrew-laid-to-rest-in-termon-1-4213376|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Maguire|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0831/1224323381286.html|title=Duffy funeral told Donegal win would honour memory|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 August 2012|access-date=31 August 2012|quote=Among the 1,500 mourners at yesterday's funeral at St Columba's Church were Donegal GAA players Michael Murphy, Karl Lacey, Mark McHugh and Brendan Boyle. [...] Members of Mr Duffy's club Termon provided a guard of honour to and from the funeral Mass, as did a number of other clubs including Glenswilly and Gaoth Dobhair.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329172937/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/duffy-funeral-told-donegal-win-would-honour-memory-1.545168|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/08/27/shadow-cast-over-celebrations-as-young-donegal-fan-drowns-in-dublin/|title=Shadow cast over celebrations as young footballer drowns in Dublin|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 August 2012|access-date=27 August 2012|quote=The well-known Termon GAA player had been at the game earlier. His body was taken from the Canal after midnight...}}</ref> He had only decided to stay in Dublin at the last-minute, to celebrate Donegal's victory.<ref name=mcguinness_andrew_team_sam_termon/> More than one thousand people attended his funeral, including Donegal players Michael Murphy and Mark McHugh. Members of the Termon club paid tribute to him at the place of his death ahead of the final and a moment's silence was held in his memory before the game at Croke Park.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/gaa-fans-pay-tribute-to-tragic-andrew-on-all-ireland-final-day/|title=GAA fans pay tribute to tragic Andrew on All-Ireland Final day|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref> There would be further tributes after the final, particularly from the Donegal manager and players.<ref name=mcguinness_andrew_team_sam_termon/>

===Team selection=== Two days before the final, Donegal announced that the same team that played Cork in the semi-final would start the final. Ryan Bradley had sufficiently recovered from his shoulder injury to be included, while Karl Lacey and Neil Gallagher had also overcome concerns.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0921/338490-donegal-unchanged-for-all-ireland-final/|title=Donegal unchanged for All-Ireland final against Mayo at Croke Park|publisher=RTÉ|date=21 September 2012|access-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173114/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0921/338490-donegal-unchanged-for-all-ireland-final/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

Mayo captain Andy Moran missed the final having ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in the quarter-final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0920/338323-injured-skipper-moran-over-final-disappointment/|title=Injured Mayo skipper Andy Moran over All-Ireland final disappointment|publisher=RTÉ|date=20 September 2012|access-date=20 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173231/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0920/338323-injured-skipper-moran-over-final-disappointment/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Mayo made one change to their team from the semi-final — Colm Boyle replaced Chris Barrett at half-back.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/19672505|title=Donegal unchanged for All-Ireland final against Mayo|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=21 September 2012|access-date=21 September 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173325/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19672505|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

===Minors=== Prior to the senior final, Dublin defeated Meath in the minor final, winning their first title since 1984.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338717-dublin-too-good-for-meath-in-minor-final/|title=Dublin 0–14 Meath 1-05|publisher=RTÉ|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173442/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338717-dublin-too-good-for-meath-in-minor-final/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

==Match== ===Summary=== ====First half==== Donegal captain Michael Murphy scored a goal after 2 minutes and 25 seconds, having collected a high ball delivered by Karl Lacey. ''Championship Matters'' named it "Goal of the Championship".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/ddtv-video-murphy-strike-against-mayo-named-goal-of-the-championship/|title=DDTV Video: Murphy strike against Mayo named Goal of the Championship|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> After 10 minutes, Patrick McBrearty's attempt at scoring a point struck the post and the ball fell to Mayo's Kevin Keane. He dropped it into the path of Colm McFadden, who took advantage of the error to score Donegal's second goal.<ref name=dazzling_donegals_day>{{cite news|first=Frank |last=Roche |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dazzling-donegals-day/28848641.html |title=Dazzling Donegal's day |work=Evening Herald |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=24 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209022307/http://www.herald.ie/opinion/columnists/frank-roche/dazzling-donegals-day-3239806.html |archive-date= 9 December 2012 }}</ref> McFadden was soon through on goal again, only for Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke to save on this occasion. Mayo scored their opening point, from a free, after 16 minutes. Colm McFadden scored 1–03 (6 points) for Donegal in the first half.<ref name=rte_live_updates>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338702-live-all-ireland-football-finals/|title=Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park|publisher=RTÉ|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173532/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338702-live-all-ireland-football-finals/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

====Second half==== After Michael Murphy fisted a point with eight minutes remaining, only narrowly missing the Mayo goal, photographers surrounded Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and his assistant Rory Gallagher.<ref>{{cite news|first=Malachy|last=Clerkin|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0924/1224324325174.html|title=I never once thought we were going to get beaten|work=The Irish Times|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173633/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/i-never-once-thought-we-were-going-to-get-beaten-1.537283|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Donegal led the entire game.<ref name=rte_live_updates/> As referee Maurice Deegan blew the final whistle, Karl Lacey caught the ball and threw it into the crowd.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/19701439|title=Karl Lacey struggling to take in Donegal's All-Ireland triumph|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|quote="It hasn't really sunk in yet," said Lacey, who had the match ball in his hands when the final whistle was blown on Sunday at Croke Park.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173735/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19701439|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Mayo had lost their sixth consecutive All-Ireland SFC final, a run stretching back to 1989.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0924/1224324324774.html|title='They'll come back better players and better people'|work=The Irish Times|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329173859/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/they-ll-come-back-better-players-and-better-people-1.537287|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Mark McHugh ran to embrace his father Martin, who was on the sideline as a pundit for the BBC's television coverage. Martin burst into tears.<ref>''2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final''. BBC Television. 23 September 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/23/i-hope-im-now-known-as-mark-mchughs-father-martin-mchugh/|title=I hope I'm now known as Mark McHugh's father – Martin McHugh|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref> The emotional moment became one of the iconic images of the victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/donegal-legend-mchugh-reveals-heartache-behind-emotional-scenes-with-son-mark/|title=Donegal legend reveals heartache behind emotional scenes with son Mark|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=25 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012|quote=Pictures of the Kilcar father and son hugging and crying with each other have gone around the globe.}}</ref> From Chicago to Dubai fans of the winning team celebrated.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/how-donegal-folk-in-chicago-celebrated-the-big-win-in-pictures/|title=Celebrating the big win in Chicago|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/ddtv-donegal-fans-go-wild-in-dubai/|title=DDTV – Donegal fans go wild in Dubai!|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

===Details=== {{football box |date = 23 September 2012 |time = 15:30 UTC+1 |team1 = {{GG|Donegal|football}} 40px |score = 2–11 – 0–13 |report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338732-donegal-beat-mayo-to-end-wait-for-sam/ Report] [https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174043/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338732-donegal-beat-mayo-to-end-wait-for-sam/ (archive)] |team2 = {{GG|Mayo|football}} 40px |goals1 = M Murphy (1–4, 3 frees) C McFadden (1–4, 3 frees) R Bradley (0–1) F McGlynn (0–1) N Gallagher (0–1) |goals2 = K McLoughlin (0–2, 1 free) C O'Connor (0–5, 5 frees) M Conroy (0–1) E Varley (0–2, 1 free) R Feeney (0–1) L Keegan (0–1) J Gibbons (0–1) |stadium = Croke Park, Dublin |attendance = 82,269 |referee = Maurice Deegan (Laois) }} {| width=92% | |- |{{Football kit | pattern_la =_DonegalGAA2011 | pattern_b = _DonegalGAA2011 | pattern_ra =_DonegalGAA2011 | leftarm = 008000 | body = FFD700 | rightarm = 008000 | shorts = 008000 | socks = 008000 | title = Donegal }} |{{Football kit |pattern_la = _Mayo2011 |pattern_b = _Mayo2011 |pattern_ra = _Mayo2011 |leftarm = 28AE7B |body = 28AE7B |rightarm = 28AE7B |shorts = FFFFFF |socks = ff0000 |title = Mayo }} |} {| width="75%" |valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align=center |colspan="4"|'''Donegal:''' |- !width=25| |- |'''1''' || Paul Durcan || || |- |'''2''' || Paddy McGrath || || |- |'''3''' || Neil McGee || || |- |'''4''' || Frank McGlynn || || |- |'''5''' || Eamon McGee || || {{yel|?}} |- |'''6''' || Karl Lacey || || |- |'''7''' || Anthony Thompson || || |- |'''8''' || Neil Gallagher || || |- |'''9''' || Rory Kavanagh || || |- |'''10''' || Mark McHugh || || |- |'''11''' || Leo McLoone || {{suboff|57}} || |- |'''12''' || Ryan Bradley || {{suboff|40}} || |- |'''13''' || Patrick McBrearty || {{suboff|48}} || |- |'''14''' || Michael Murphy (c) || || |- |'''15''' || Colm McFadden || || |- |colspan=3|'''Substitutes:''' |- |'''19''' || David Walsh || {{subon|40}} || |- |'''17''' || Martin McElhinney || {{subon|48}} {{suboff|70+2}} || |- |'''20''' || Christy Toye || {{subon|57}} || |- |'''24''' || Dermot Brick Molloy || {{subon|70+2}} || |- |colspan=3|'''Manager:''' |- |colspan=3| Jim McGuinness |} |valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |colspan="4"|'''Mayo:''' |- !width=25| |- |'''1''' || David Clarke (c) || || |- |'''2''' || Kevin Keane || || |- |'''3''' || Ger Cafferkey || || |- |'''4''' || Keith Higgins || || |- |'''5''' || Lee Keegan || || {{yel|?}} |- |'''6''' || Donal Vaughan || || {{yel|?}} |- |'''7''' || Colm Boyle || || |- |'''8''' || Barry Moran || {{suboff|59}} || |- |'''9''' || Aidan O'Shea || || {{yel|?}} |- |'''10''' || Kevin McLoughlin || || |- |'''11''' || Jason Doherty || {{suboff|49}} || {{yel|?}} |- |'''12''' || Alan Dillon || || |- |'''13''' || Enda Varley || {{suboff|60}} || |- |'''14''' || Cillian O'Connor || || {{yel|?}} |- |'''15''' || Michael Conroy || {{suboff|59}} || |- |colspan=3|'''Substitutes:''' |- |'''26''' || Alan Freeman || {{subon|49}} || |- |'''22''' || Seamus O'Shea || {{subon|59}} || |- |'''23''' || Jason Gibbons || {{subon|59}} || |- |'''19''' || Richie Feeney || {{subon|60}} || |- |colspan=3|'''Manager:''' |- |colspan=4| James Horan |} |} {| width=100% style="font-size: 90%" | '''Man of the Match:''' Michael Murphy

'''Linesmen:''' David Coldrick (Meath) Eddie Kinsella (Laois)

'''Sideline Official''' Conor Lane (Cork)

'''Umpires''' Kevin O'Brien Seán Langton Alan Abbey Richard Oxley |}

==Post-match== ===Trophy presentation=== The trophy was presented to Donegal captain Michael Murphy by GAA president Liam O'Neill. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a native of Mayo, and Fionnuala O'Kelly was present, as was President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. After lifting the Sam Maguire Cup, Murphy made his speech, beginning: "We have him!".<ref name=rte_live_updates/> He ended with a chorus of "Jimmy's winning matches. Jimmy's winning games. Jimmy's bringing Sammy back to Donegal again". After the presentation the Donegal team and management went on a lap of honour around the Croke Park pitch.

Liam O'Neill later revealed that Murphy, as they exchanged the trophy, had offered his condolences on the sudden death of his sister the previous day. He expressed his admiration for Murphy and called him an exceptional young captain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hoganstand.com/Football/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=178681|title=President praises Murphy for gesture|work=Hogan Stand|date=5 October 2012|access-date=5 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174148/http://hoganstand.com/Football/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=178681|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

"Las Vegas (In the Hills of Donegal)" was blared from the Croke Park PA system.<ref name=rte_live_updates/>

===Press conference=== At the post-match press conference Jim McGuinness declined to answer questions until a reporter was ejected from the room. The reporter had been responsible for the book ''This Is Our Year'', which resulted in Kevin Cassidy's expulsion from the Donegal panel in 2011. When the reporter was removed from the room McGuinness explained, {{blockquote|There was a book written. There were a lot of untruths in the book. There was a lot of things said about me. I've never broken court on it since the whole thing happened. I've held my dignity. I've let myself be castigated. And I done that because I gave somebody an agreement that I wouldn't break my court on it. There were a lot of things said in the book that were incorrect and untrue, some of it possibly lies about me personally and about some of my players. It was all-out attack for a couple of months on my character. I know what I've done, I know what I've coached, I know what I am as a person. And that's the situation. So I'm not going to let somebody sit in a room and fill their pages tomorrow on the back of what we done today when they in their wisdom degraded me as a person and some of my players.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/23/mcguinness-delays-press-conference-until-reporter-is-removed/|title=McGuinness delays press conference until reporter is removed|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Malachy|last=Clerkin|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0924/1224324325157.html|title=Lone sour note: Donegal boss has reporter removed|work=The Irish Times|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174301/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/lone-sour-note-donegal-boss-has-reporter-removed-1.537273|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>}}

===Awards=== The official GAA man of the match was unveiled on RTÉ's ''The Sunday Game'' programme on the evening of the match. The winner was picked by a three-man panel of Martin McHugh, Kevin McStay and Ciarán Whelan with the award being presented to team captain Michael Murphy at the team reception in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin. Also on the shortlist were Eamon McGee and Frank McGlynn.

Eight Donegal players were named on ''The Sunday Game'' Team of the Year—Paul Durcan, Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey, Mark McHugh, Neil Gallagher, Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy. Karl Lacey was given ''The Sunday Game'' Player of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/23/donegal-team-clean-up-on-sunday-game-team-of-the-year/|title=Donegal team clean up on Sunday Game Team of the Year|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref>

Michael Murphy was named September's GAA/GPA All-Stars Player of the Month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hoganstand.com/Kilkenny/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=178890|title=September awards for Shefflin and Murphy|work=Hogan Stand|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174448/http://hoganstand.com/Kilkenny/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=178890|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/shefflin-and-murphy-win-monthly-all-stars-569909.html|title=Shefflin and Murphy win monthly All-Stars|publisher=BreakingNews.ie|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174546/http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/shefflin-and-murphy-win-monthly-all-stars-569909.html|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

On 2 October 2012, twelve Donegal players were shortlisted for All Star Awards—compared to ten for Mayo, seven for Cork, six for Dublin and just one (Colm Cooper) for Kerry. Nomination for Footballer of the Year were from Donegal only—Karl Lacey, Colm McFadden and Frank McGlynn—, while Paddy McBrearty was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year, against Donal Keogan of Meath and Cillian O'Connor of Mayo.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/1002/340084-donegal-dominate-all-star-nominations-with-12/|title=Donegal dominate All-Star football nominations with 12 players selected|publisher=RTÉ|date=3 October 2012|access-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174636/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/1002/340084-donegal-dominate-all-star-nominations-with-12/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

In December 2012, Donegal were given the RTÉ Team of the Year Award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182904|title=Donegal are Team of the Year|work=Hogan Stand|date=24 December 2012|access-date=24 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174729/http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182904|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

===Political response=== Following Donegal's victory, the Donegal flag was raised above the Mansion House in Dublin as politicians stood by and gazed upon the scene.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/donegal-flag-raised-above-the-mansion-house/|title=Donegal flag raised above the Mansion House|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

A civic reception for the team by Donegal County Council was planned for November.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/council-to-give-donegal-team-a-civic-reception/|title=Council to give Donegal team a civic reception|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref>

Scotland issued the following statement, "The Parliament congratulates County Donegal on winning the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, defeating what it considers was an impressive County Mayo team by 2–11 to 0–13 in front of a crowd of 82,000 at Croke Park in Dublin; congratulates coach Jim McGuinness and staff on ending a 20-year wait to take the Sam Maguire trophy back to the county, and notes that Jimmy is indeed "winning matches and bringing Sam back to Donegal again." A large number of curious Scottish parliamentarians signed a motion asking if they might be given the chance to catch a glimpse of the Sam Maguire Cup at the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly in March 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/scottish-parliamentarian-hopes-to-see-sam-in-march-1-4308233|title=Scottish Parliamentarian hopes to see Sam in March|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|date=28 September 2012|access-date=28 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329174848/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/scottish-parliamentarian-hopes-to-see-sam-in-march-1-4308233|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

===Homecoming=== The homecoming events lasted throughout the following week, as the team embarked on a "World Tour of Donegal", that consisted of 40 different stops.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Foley|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/jims-journey-around-donegal-was-as-much-about-the-tragedies-of-the-past-as-the-glories-of-the-present-209248.html|title=Jim's journey around Donegal was as much about the tragedies of the past as the glories of the present|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=29 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012|quote=Normally, the distance from the Burlington Hotel to Glenswilly is 260 kilometres or so – but this was no normal week in Donegal. Jim McGuinness said after the All-Ireland final that the journey home would be the best of their lives. So, at 11.35pm on Thursday night, the bus driven by Kevin McAnaney made its 40th and last stop after 867 kilometres to Michael Murphy's home ground.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329180225/http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/jims-journey-around-donegal-was-as-much-about-the-tragedies-of-the-past-as-the-glories-of-the-present-209248.html|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> The team's arrival into Donegal on 24 September 2012 was broadcast [http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/#!/live/41/ live on RTÉ Online].

The team visited sick children at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin the morning after their victory, before heading for their homecoming at the Diamond, Donegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0924/sam-maguire-to-return-to-donegal.html|title=Donegal team returns home with Sam Maguire Cup after All-Ireland victory|publisher=RTÉ News|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175249/http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0924/338791-sam-maguire-to-return-to-donegal/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> In Donegal, Daniel O'Donnell and his sister Margo were among the diddly-eye entertainment on offer, former Eurovision Song Contestant Mickey Joe Harte was also there, while Rory Gallagher—formerly of The Revs—was on hand to sing Donegal's championship anthem, his own composition "Jimmy's Winning Matches". Gardaí shut down the town from the late afternoon as huge crowds flooded in from elsewhere. Four Masters, the local GAA club, organised the homecoming.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/huge-crowds-expected-in-the-diamond-for-donegals-heroes/|title=Huge crowds expected in The Diamond for Donegal's heroes|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

Jim McGuinness and Michael Murphy crossed the Border from Kesh into Pettigo at exactly 8 p.m. with thousands of people watching on, including children given the day off school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/breaking-news-sam-maguire-back-in-donegal/|title=Breaking news: Sam Maguire back in Donegal|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012}}</ref> The Donegal team arrived into The Diamond late on a wet and miserable evening where they met with a rousing reception from as many as 20,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0924/338944-donegal-welcomed-home-by-huge-crowd/|title=Donegal welcomed home by huge crowd|publisher=RTÉ|date=24 September 2012|access-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175404/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0924/338944-donegal-welcomed-home-by-huge-crowd/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> McGuinness duetted with Daniel O'Donnell on "Destination Donegal" and star player Mark McHugh sang when he joined in on "Jimmy's Winning Matches".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/sams-home-video-of-jim-and-daniel-singing-destination-donegal/|title=Sam's home: Video of Jim and Daniel singing 'Destination Donegal'|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=25 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref>

On 25 September 2012, the victorious Donegal team were scheduled to visit Letterkenny, Donegal's largest town, and nearby Glenswilly, the home club of All-Ireland-winning captain Michael Murphy—however, the Glenswilly visit was postponed due to time constraints which arose due to the huge crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/details-revealed-for-sam-maguires-visit-to-letterkenny/|title=Details revealed for Sam Maguire's visit to Letterkenny|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=25 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> They also did Bundoran, Ballyshannon, Mountcharles, Killybegs, Kilcar, Carrick, Ardara and Ballybofey on the same day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/sam-on-tour-where-you-can-see-the-team-today/|title=Sam on tour – where you can see the team today|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=25 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> Originally due to arrive in Letterkenny around 8 p.m., they hadn't even reached Ardara at 9 p.m. after being overwhelmed by thousands of fans throughout the county.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/exhausted-players-facing-four-hour-delays-in-county-tour/|title=Exhausted players facing four-hour delays in county tour|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=25 September 2012|access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> Such was the delay that the Donegal County Board had to dismiss rumours that the Letterkenny homecoming had been cancelled, and said it would go ahead "probably around midnight".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/letterkenny-homecoming-to-go-ahead-at-midnight/ |title=Letterkenny homecoming to go ahead at midnight |publisher=Donegal Daily |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=25 September 2012 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In the end it was nearly 1 a.m. when the team arrived into Letterkenny. Mayor Dessie Larkin used his own version of the famous alcoholic slogan, saying on stage: "Carlsberg don't do All-Irelands, but McGuinness does." Rory Gallagher finished the night with a rousing rendition of "Jimmy's Winning Matches".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-finally-arrives-in-letterkenny/|title=Sam's world tour of Donegal finally arrives in Letterkenny|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=26 September 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref> The players looked like they were going to fall asleep after their exhausting day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/the-message-is-be-patient-as-our-heroes-continue-their-tour-of-donegal/|title=The message is 'be patient' as our heroes continue their tour of Donegal|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=26 September 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref>

On 26 September, the "World Tour of Donegal" continued. Rory Kavanagh and Kevin Rafferty visited their former school, Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny, accompanied by the Sam Maguire Cup, as well as Colm McFadden and Frank McGlynn.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/picture-special-rory-kavanagh-returns-to-scoil-cholmcille-with-sam/|title=Picture special: Rory Kavanagh returns to Scoil Cholmcille with Sam|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=26 September 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref> Then it was to Termon, and to the home club of goalkeeper Michael Boyle and his close friend Andrew Duffy, who drowned in Dublin after the semi-final against Cork. Andrew Duffy was remembered by those present.<ref name=mcguinness_andrew_team_sam_termon>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/mcguinness-pays-tribute-to-tragic-fan-andrew-as-team-bring-sam-to-termon/|title=McGuinness pays tribute to tragic fan Andrew as team bring Sam to Termon|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=26 September 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref> Also scheduled for visits on 26 September were Downings, St Michael's in Creeslough (home club of top-scorer Colm McFadden), Falcarragh, Gaoth Dobhair (home club of the McGee brothers), Naomh Mhuire in Muladuff, An Clochán Liath, Na Rossa and Glenties (home of manager Jim McGuinness).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/day-two-donegal-team-on-tour-latest/|title=Day two: Donegal team on tour latest|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=26 September 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref>

On 27 September, the "World Tour of Donegal" concluded with stops at Carndonagh, Malin, Urris, Buncrana, and, eventually, the postponed visit to Glenswilly—the home club of All-Ireland-winning captain Michael Murphy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/sam-on-tour-today-times-and-schedules-here/|title=Sam on tour today – Times and schedules here|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/breaking-news-donegal-team-due-in-buncrana-at-10-15pm/|title=Breaking news: Donegal team due in Buncrana at 10.15PM|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/breaking-news-captain-murphy-on-way-to-glenswilly-for-11-30pm/|title=Breaking news: Captain Murphy on way to Glenswilly for 11.30PM|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012|quote=The Donegal team are on their last leg of the World Tour of Donegal.}}</ref>

===Tubridy interview=== On 28 September 2012, manager and team appeared on ''The Late Late Show'', the world's longest running chat show, hosted by Ryan Tubridy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/local/donegal-stars-appear-on-late-late-show-tonight-1-4317367|title=Donegal stars appear on Late Late show tonight|newspaper=Donegal Democrat|date=28 September 2012|access-date=28 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175518/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/donegal-stars-appear-on-late-late-show-tonight-1-4317367|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> The "interview" was criticised by many—its shortness was contrasted with the full sit-down interview Tubridy conducted with Dublin the previous year—, with UTV broadcaster Adrian Logan calling it a "disgrace".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/30/top-broadcaster-brands-donegals-interview-on-late-late-a-disgrace/|title=Top broadcaster brands Donegal's interview on Late Late a "disgrace"|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=30 September 2012|access-date=30 September 2012|quote=...[Logan] tweeted that RTÉ should forget about interviewing All-Ireland champions if this was the best they could do. He tweeted 'Ryan Tubridy's so-called interview with Donegal was a disgrace. If that's the best he and RTÉ can do then forget about it'. Many of Donegal's army of fans are outraged after their team's very brief appearance on RTÉ's Late Late Show... Fans have jammed social media sites complaining about the Donegal side's treatment.}}</ref>

===Post-homecoming=== Jim McGuinness vowed that the Sam Maguire Cup would be taken to every school in the county.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/jims-promise-to-donegal-children-well-take-sam-into-every-school-in-the-county/|title=Jim's promise to Donegal children: 'We'll take Sam to every school in the county'|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=27 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref>

Sam was at a world record attempt at O'Donnell Park on 29 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/stars-to-bring-sam-maguire-to-world-record-attempt-at-odonnell-park/|title=Stars to bring Sam Maguire to world record attempt at O'Donnell Park|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=28 September 2012|access-date=28 September 2012}}</ref> Then there were Donegal Senior Football Championship games to attend to the next day.<ref>{{cite news|first=Keith|last=Duggan|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0929/1224324605126.html|title=Hills are alive as carnival of goodwill continues|work=The Irish Times|date=29 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012|quote=The tour continued until Thursday evening. Last night, the Donegal side were due to appear on the Late Late Show and this weekend, they are involved in club championship games – the game between current county champions Glenswilly and Gweedore is the pick of the bunch.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175644/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/hills-are-alive-as-carnival-of-goodwill-continues-1.540980|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Orla|last=Bannon|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/armagh-board-agrees-to-delay-donegal-club-clash-209967.html|title=Armagh board agrees to delay Donegal club clash|work=Irish Examiner|date=5 October 2012|access-date=5 October 2012|quote='It's great to see an Ulster county win an All-Ireland and we certainly weren't going to do anything to upset the whole progress of the Donegal team, which we're all delighted about. But we're equally fond of the Donegal clubs and the Donegal players and their right to be represented in Ulster. So there was a little bit of leeway there, which was made because of the goodwill of Armagh'.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175749/http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/armagh-board-agrees-to-delay-donegal-club-clash-209967.html|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

The Donegal senior inter-county football team did not play again until 3 November, when they took on Ulster in the Match for Michaela.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thescore.ie/match-for-michaela-donegal-ulster-649927-Oct2012/|title=Jim McGuinness names strong Donegal side to compete in Match for Michaela|publisher=The Score|date=25 October 2012|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329180026/http://www.the42.ie/match-for-michaela-donegal-ulster-649927-Oct2012/|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

The winning team later received their medals at a function in the Mount Errigal Hotel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182155|title=Donegal to receive medals|work=Hogan Stand|date=7 December 2012|access-date=7 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175942/http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182155|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

RTÉ aired the documentary ''Jimmy's Winnin' Matches'' on Thursday, 3 January 2013 at 9.35 pm, concerning Donegal's Championship success.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182833|title=Donegal documentary on RTÉ|work=Hogan Stand|date=20 December 2012|access-date=20 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329175849/http://www.hoganstand.com/Donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=182833|archive-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

Mayor Cllr. Frank McBrearty Jnr and members of Donegal County Council honoured the Donegal Team and Management with a civic reception in the County House Lifford in February 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.donegaldaily.com/2013/02/14/civic-reception-for-donegals-all-ireland-champions-tonight/|title=Civic reception for Donegal's All-Ireland Champions tonight|publisher=Donegal Daily|date=14 February 2013|access-date=14 February 2013}}</ref>

TG4 showed the match in full on Easter Sunday 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2020/04/12/donegal-fans-get-a-chance-to-relive-2012-triumph-this-afternoon/|title=Donegal fans get a chance to relive 2012 triumph this afternoon|date=12 April 2020|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/County/National/Article/Index/309761|title=Upcoming Gaelic Games coverage on TG4|work=Hogan Stand|date=20 March 2020|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Portal|Ireland}} * Official team websites: [https://www.donegalgaa.ie/ Donegal]; [https://www.mayogaa.com/ Mayo] * [https://www.gaa.ie/ Official GAA website]

;Photo galleries * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/in-their-own-pictures-donegal-heroes-0f-2012-celebrate-capturing-sam/ In Their Own Pictures: Donegal Heroes of 2012 Celebrate Capturing Sam] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/24/picture-special-your-message-from-around-the-globe-to-the-donegal-team/ Fans from across the globe celebrate Donegal's success] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20131214154229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19695557 BBC: All-Ireland final photos] * [https://archive.today/20130419210855/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19386279 BBC: Photos of Donegal's semi-final victory over Cork] * [http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/galleries/2012/0919/338280-donegals-route-to-the-all-ireland-final/ RTÉ: Donegal's route to the All-Ireland final] * [http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/galleries/2012/0919/338232-in-pictures-mayos-route/ RTÉ: Mayo's route to the All-Ireland final]

;Homecoming * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/25/kilcar-honours-the-heroes/ Kilcar] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-ballybofey-picture-special/ Ballybofey] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-stramore-ns-glendowan-picture-special/ Glendowan] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-creeslough-picture-special/ Creeslough] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-fanad-pictures/ Fanad] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-gaoth-dobhair-picture-special/ Gaoth Dobhair] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-downings-picture-special/ Downings] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-naomh-mhuire-picture-special/ Naomh Mhuire] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/27/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-proud-moment-for-declan-in-malin/ Malin] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-when-sam-went-to-moville/ Moville] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-when-leonard-met-sam-in-carn-after-a-trip-from-down-under/ Carndonagh] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-when-michael-neil-and-gary-arrived-in-the-glen/ Glenswilly]

;Audio * [https://www.balls.ie/gaa/the-highland-radio-commentary-for-the-all-ireland-football-final/#sthash.CMb5ixNv.dpbs Highland Radio commentary of Donegal's win]

;Videos * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEPQdJtr_J4 Donegal Believes in Sam Maguire], RTÉ ''Up for the Match'' feature * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081017/http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/809/338749/ RTÉ: Michael Murphy accepts the Sam Maguire Cup] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/26/ddtv-the-moment-sam-shone-in-the-diamond/ Paul Durcan steps off the bus in Donegal Town] * [http://www.independent.ie/video/video-irish-news/jim-mcguinness-and-daniel-odonnell-singalong-3240622.html Jim and Daniel duet] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-ryan-sheds-a-tear-at-massive-buncrana-homecoming/ Ryan Bradley in Buncrana] * [http://www.donegaldaily.com/2012/09/28/sams-world-tour-of-donegal-video-of-a-proud-night-in-glenswilly/ Glenswilly]

{{All-Ireland Senior Football Championship}} {{GAA 2012}} {{Donegal county football team matches}} {{Mayo county football team matches}}

Final All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, 2012 Category:All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals Category:GAA finals at Croke Park Category:Donegal county football team matches Category:Mayo county football team matches