This time Brian McIver didn't drop anyone, and this time it was handled strictly in house. Reportedly the guilty players had to each chip in ?250 to the team training panel, and while that might strictly be against the amateur ethos, it isn't until McIver confirmed it happened, and he'll hardly do that. There might have been a breach of discipline but only of a code devised by the group itself, and one tackled and dealt with by the group itself.

Just as it's time for Donegal to address the county's drinking culture, it's time the rest of us, including Donegal supporters, got some perspective too. Donegal players aren't the only winning side to party maybe a night too many. The Tuesday after Tyrone beat Derry in the 2003 Ulster firstround replay, Chris Lawn had to admonish a few teammates for going out for a third consecutive night on the razz. One night was fine, but not two or three for, as Lawn put it, "a county surrounded by All Ireland medals and with none of our own". Were those few players "a disgrace" as was suggested by some? They were the same players who brought Sam back to the county. Even professional athletes drink.

It's knowing the one that's one too many. Donegal know that now.

McIver has handled the last few games nicely too. A few weeks ago Colm O'Rourke pointed out no way could Donegal sustain their form all year long, and McIver might have seen to it that their blip came against Limerick and Fermanagh, when he managed to both try out fringe players and maintain his team's unbeaten record.

There appears to be something different about Kildare too, though we'll still need some more convincing; they were very tight at the back and hard to beat in last year's league too before being ripped apart by Offaly and Derry. But they're a more mature side now. While John Doyle - easily the best performer in Division 1B and in real danger of losing his tag of being the most under-rated forward in football - continues to be their main man, the defence continues to improve.

They'll be tested again today; Donegal's attack is so good Christy Toye, Adrian Sweeney and Leon Thompson are all on the bench. The last times these counties met, they served up a magical game of football on a sunny Newbridge evening six years ago.

That time, Kildare won 1-17 to 1-16. They might concede something like that today, but won't score it. Donegal by four or so to become the fifth Ulster team this decade to make a Division One final.

DONEGAL P Durcan; N McGee, P Campbell, K Lacey; P McConingle, B Monaghan, B Dunnion; N Gallagher, K Cassidy; C Bonner, B Roper, R Kavanagh; C McFadden, B Devenney, M Hegarty KILDARE E Murphy; S O'Callaghan, D Lyons, A McLoughlin; A Rainbow, M Hogarty, E Bolton;

K Brennan, K O'Reilly; J Kavanagh, J Doyle, K Donnelly; T Fennin, J Phillips, P O'Neill ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION ONE SEMI-FINAL DONEGAL v KILDARE Croke Park, 4.00 (ET if necessary) Referee R Hickey (Clare)