Donegal and Kerry's players are busy preparing for an All Ireland final date this Sunday and for mere mortals it is hard to imagine the pressure they are under.

We were joined on stage by four players who know all about the mental and physical toll involved in the build-up to an All Ireland decider.

Tyrone's Sean Cavanagh, Mayo's Alan Dillon, ex-Kerry All Ireland winner Barry O'Shea and Donegal's 2012 winner Mark McHugh all experienced distinct preparations for their respective finals.

But how did they block out the craziness and hype from the fans and still maintain an edge?

From having no choice but to "p*** off" friends and family in the build-up" to the team chemistry at hotels and training camps, the lads shared their own experience of the mental strains and challenges of the final road to Croker.

And does it help bring extra motivation if the aristocrats of Kerry are your final opponents? 

Cavanagh spoke about his mindset in that regard heading into the 2005 and 2008 finals and why it was "special". McHugh added that Donegal began to believe that they can win in 2012  after beating Kerry in the quarter-final.

Dillon who was involved as Mayo lost to the Kingdom in this year's semi-final gave an insight into the challenge Donegal will face on Sunday.

Meanwhile O'Shea said that the perception that Kerry people see themselves as football aristocrats is a "media thing" and spoke about the changes in the game in terms of tactics and the jargon term "process".

The panel also previewed this Sunday's all-important decider with their own insights into both sides.