Brendan Devenney says Kerry are heading into the new season as favourites to retain their All-Ireland SFC crown.

The Kingdom came good when it mattered to brush aside Devenney’s native county with surprising ease in last year’s Sam Maguire Cup decider and they remain the team to beat in his opinion.

"A lot of teams were playing with half forwards, particularly Donegal in the All-Ireland final as they play a certain style," the former Donegal forward said on RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport.

"The way Kerry showed how to do it, you want your back six being defenders, you want a strong, robust midfield and then playmakers who can get on the ball like Paudie Clifford, who led Donegal a bit of a merry dance for most of the game, which a lot of people couldn’t understand.

"Kerry looked like they had all the ammunition in the world and teams (facing them) will have to be prepared to defend outside the arc.

"I think it will be a fascinating season. Kerry at Croke Park are a good bit ahead of the chasing teams, though there are about six teams (in the chasing pack) where I don’t think there is more than a two-pointer between them."

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