There will never be uniformity of opinion when it comes to the issue of Donnellan the Younger. The Dunmore prodigy has arguably been the central electrical current of the O'Mahony era, which has revitalised Galway football. The Texaco footballer of the year in 1998, when Galway put an end to the lost years, Donnellan is the side's most precious commodity and is best handled with care.

Despite his unassuming nature and media shyness, no player has generated so many headlines. Most are more to do with drama than football and the fact the Donnellan soap opera that ballooned at the outset of summer now seems like a storm in a teacup is testimony to the experience of the management team. It was a situation that could easily have ended in permanent division.

Onfield, Donnellan continues to draw rave notices but one issue that divides observers is where his best position is. Many have reservations about the Donnellan experiment, which has seen the player switch from wing forward to midfield.

"Michael has done very well there - I suppose he is a different type of midfielder than those who regularly appear in All-Ireland finals nowadays," remarks Kevin Walsh, who will partner Donnellan on Sunday.

"But that causes its own problems for teams. Yeah, he has done exceptionally well - you will have Pat Spillane and those fellas giving other opinions but he has done a job for us and that's what counts."

It is generally acknowledged Donnellan is extremely keen to pursue the role despite his unconventional build. At 5 ft 11 ins, he will concede five inches to Nigel Crawford in the final and his relatively slender physique will be shook for cobwebs. Against Derry in the All-Ireland semi-final, he looked muted at times and the arrival of Seβn ╙ Domhnaill at midfield, with Donnellan pushed upfield, facilitated Galway's recovery.

But Donnellan's remarkable gifts have allowed him to make a persuasive case as a midfielder. For such a bona fide star, he has an admirable work-rate. Also, his phenomenal leap means he is well capable of turning airborne possession against taller men.

"I think he is such a good footballer, he could literally play anywhere," says Nigel Crawford. "Players like Michael Donnellan are rare and no matter where he is - even at full back - he would be a threat."

Donnellan plays a mesmerising brand of football, merging modern flicks and touches with an old, probing kicking style. The vision and curiously low trajectory of his delivery towards the forwards have become the defining feature of the Galway team. "As the saying goes, he is worth the admission price alone. I think his speed, also one of his greatest assets and he uses it to great affect. No doubt, he is a vital cog on the team," says team-mate Seβn De Paor.

His steadfast media silence coupled with the high-profile controversies invite the obvious conclusion that he is "difficult". But on the field, his total commitment to Galway football is easy to see.

"He would be very passionate about it, it comes across in the way he plays the game," says De Paor.

Whether he ends up as a long-term midfielder for Galway could well depend on the outcome of this All-Ireland final. At 24, Donnellan has the youth to remain the county's key figure for another half decade. That midfield is the place to best showcase his talents is something he has yet to fully convince people of.

Michael Donnellan

Age: 24

Height: 5ft 11ins

Weight: 13 stone

Honours: All-Ireland SFC 1998, Young player of the year 1998, All-Star 1998, 2000; Connacht SFC 1998, 2000; Connacht MFC 1994