The lid was flipped. The usually unruffled Brian McEniff had blown his right off.

Donegal backroom member Donal Reid claimed Dublin underestimated them in their shock All-Ireland semi-final victory over the champions.

The proof will come on Saturday but Eoin Brosnan is confident Dr Crokes are better prepared for this All-Ireland semi-final than those in the last two years.

The Donegal County Board have confirmed manager Jim McGuinness’s intention “to make changes” to his backroom team — a move that saw assistant manager Rory Gallagher and two other members leave the set-up.

Mick O’Dowd insists he is not bothered by claims his Meath team have become uncompetitive at the top level of Gaelic football.

Capital One Cup Final: Bradford v Swansea City

Dr Crokes joint-manager Noel O’Leary described his players as the greatest in the Killarney club’s history after they successfully defended their Munster title.

Here’s the conventional viewpoint: these sides are coming into tomorrow’s Munster final from very different backgrounds. Champions, Dr Crokes are in their third consecutive final, while the Cork champions have ended a nine-year wait at county level and are seeking a first provincial win in 15 years.

Normally, the distance from the Burlington Hotel to Glenswilly is 260 kilometres or so — but this was no normal week in Donegal.

Donegal are just 70 minutes away from becoming the first team to win an All-Ireland SFC title with seven victories from as many games.

Reigning Footballer of the Year Alan Brogan returns to the Dublin team for their much-anticipated All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Mayo on Sunday.

ARMAGH

ANOTHER potential embarrassment in the ugly controversy dividing Donegal GAA has been averted by Kevin Cassidy’s absence from a Sligo IT Sigerson Cup reunion on Saturday.

DONEGAL’S 1992 All-Ireland winning manager Brian McEniff has called on the county board to act swiftly on indiscipline in club matches or risk players suffering more serious injuries than Leo McLoone’s broken eye socket.

DONEGAL will attempt to beat Tyrone at their own game when the sides meet in the Ulster semi-final later this month.

A FORMER All-Ireland football star has revealed how Michaela Harte could never drink tea without also having a Rich Tea biscuit.

Former midfielder Jim McGuinness has publicly stated his interest in becoming the next Donegal senior football manager.

John Joe Doherty has become the second senior football manager to step down following defeat in the opening round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

BRIAN McENIFF enjoyed a long a fruitful managerial career with Donegal, Sligo, Ulster and Ireland before stepping back into a well-earned retirement but the 1992 All-Ireland winning coach has returned to the sidelines in recent weeks with Louth.

IT wasn’t how he’d like it to have happened – we all like to leave on our terms, regardless of situation – but the confirmation he hasn’t made the nominated top 10 hurling referees for the championship has nevertheless been greeted with his usual good grace by Dickie Murphy.

DONEGAL manager John Joe Doherty says it’s vital that his defence snuffs out the massive attacking threat posed by the two Bradley brothers.

MARTIN McHUGH has predicted that Derry, Monaghan and the Ulster Council may suffer financially, either through fines or falling attendances, as a result of the disturbing scenes at Celtic Park on Sunday.

TEAK-TOUGH Bishopstown back Noel O’Donovan and stylish Ballincollig winger Patrick Kelly have been drafted into the Cork team to play Meath in the opening round of the Allianz National Football League at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

The Donegal senior football squad has called into question the involvement of County Board officials in trying to appoint a successor to Brian McIver as manager of the side.

CONOR COUNIHAN is to be reappointed as Cork senior football coach at tonight’s Cork County Board meeting.

ALL-IRELAND winner John Joe Doherty has declared his interest in succeeding Brian McIver as Donegal senior football manager.

Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew will have another three years to try and deliver the county's first ever All-Ireland SFC title.

Fermanagh's senior footballers have been boosted by the news that Charlie Mulgrew will almost certainly be back masterminding their challenge for league and championship honours next season.

RAYMOND Gallagher will make no decision on his inter-county situation until St Brigids’ club championship campaign has come to an end.

The race to find a successor to Mickey Moran has already begun after the Donegal boss vacated his position last night.

JASON SHERLOCK loves Croke Park. It’s little wonder given his sensational Leinster and All-Ireland winning summer of 1995 blasting goals and blowing kisses to the Hill.

Donegal make no changes to their starting XV ahead of Monday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final tie against Dublin at Croke Park.