Joe Brolly has labelled Kerry as the most cynical team in the country - and it's hard to tell whether he means it as a compliment or an insult.

"I now believe they are the most cynical team in the game," the outspoken Derryman told RTE. "Anyone who wins possession in the middle third is going to be held up and stopped. That will happen. They are at the head of the black card leaderboard, but the priority for Fitzmaurice is to win.

"Fitzmaurice has altered things dramatically. He's very ruthless and extremely pragmatic. Look at the All-Ireland final where their tactics mirrored Donegal's. He was thinking to himself this is the only way we can succeed. He doesn't have any qualms about that.

"It's about winning. It's quite clear that he's friendless in the squad, but highly respected in the same way that Cody is.

"The team have a great basic skill level; they can play basketball against the blanket defence. They can spread the ball around and have players that can kick the ball over the bar.Two years ago against Dublin in that classic All-Ireland semi-final, they pulled Dublin all over the pitch. It was an immense performance against a better team."

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