All-Ireland success on the minds of popular Athlone figures
Green and gold ribbons will adorn the Sam Maguire Cup on Sunday evening no matter who the victor in this year's highly anticipated All-Ireland senior football final between Donegal and Kerry.
However, two supporters with connections to the counties of the competing finalists, and ties to Athlone, will be hoping that is their team parading the prized silverware around Croke Park after the final whistle is blown.
Montree resident Denis O'Sullivan is a respected member of the Athlone GAA community, having served in numerous coaching roles during his time with the club.
He expects a tight game on Sunday, one which he said is "difficult to call".
A Kerry GAA season ticket holder, the Glenbeigh native will be in attendance at Croke Park as the Kingdom aim to win their 39th All-Ireland senior football title.
"The loss to Meath in the group phase of the All-Ireland series was probably the wake-up call Kerry needed, and they have improved greatly since.
"I see a determination in David Clifford to win an All-Ireland medal this year. The new rules have suited him and he has been in great form during the championship," Denis said.
Denis feels that Kerry will have to "pin a running Donegal team back" throughout the game if they are win this weekend but is hopeful that Sam Maguire will return to the Kingdom on Sunday evening.
An ardent Kerry GAA supporter, Denis, who is the uncle of former Kerry senior football captain, Darran O'Sullivan, has been attending games since 1969.
He recalls receiving a lift to the Munster Final with the late Kerry supremo Mick O'Dwyer in 1972 during his time working in the Waterville Lake Hotel, while seeing his nephew Darran raise the Sam Maguire aloft following the Kingdom's All-Ireland win in 2009 remains "outstanding memory for all the family".
Meanwhile, Donegal fishmonger Michael Rose is hoping that his county can win the All-Ireland senior football title for the third occasion.
A passionate Donegal supporter, Michael is a popular retail figure in his adopted Athlone surroundings where he operates his distinctive blue and white fish van in St Mary's Square every Thursday and Friday.
Having previously seen Donegal win Sam Maguire in 1992 and 2012, the Mountcharles native is travelling to Croke Park on Sunday and feels that there will be "little between both teams" when the final whistle blows.
A Donegal GAA season ticket holder, Michael believes that the second coming of Jim McGuinness to the role of Donegal manager has been a major boost for the county.
"Jim brings a very professional approach to the team. He has transformed the county since his return and he is very well thought of within Donegal. Hopefully, Sunday will be our day. I will take a win by one point at this stage," Michael said.
Michael's home club St Nauls will have three representatives in the Donegal squad on Sunday. Both Peadar Mogan and Brendan McCole have performed admirably in their defensive roles while Gavin Mulreany is the county's substitute goalkeeper.
Michael attended his first Donegal senior football championship game in 1966 when his native county played Down. That game ended in a loss but Michael will certainly be seeking a result of a different kind in Croke Park on Sunday evening.