Kerry star James O'Donoghue is facing the biggest challenge of his career on Sunday, according to Peter Canavan.

The Legion sharpshooter has been shooting the lights out all summer, but has yet to encounter a defensive system quite like Donegal's.

"We'll see how he can cope against a mass defence when he gets the ball - how he will be able to read the situation around him," Tyrone legend Canavan tells the Irish Daily Star.

"Against Cork, there were acres of space for the ball to be played in front of him for a one-on-one. If that happens he'll destroy anybody - he destroyed Tyrone in the National League.

"Against Mayo, we witnessed him playing alongside Kieran Donaghy as well as, if not better than when the Gooch (Colm Cooper), played off him. The timing of the run to feed off Donaghy for the goal (in the drawn game) was exceptional.

"That will be the ultimate test for him. He may not score much himself. It's how well he can bring others into the game and to create space for others.

"I believe he's up to it from what I saw against Mayo. He took a few heavy hits and kept making runs and looking for the ball. His battle with Keith Higgins was one of the highlights of the year."

The Sky Sports pundit added: "He's top drawer. He's in the top two or three footballers in the country at the minute and getting better."

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