Former Tyrone defender Gavin Devlin says tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final showdown between the Red Hands and Dublin is a “mouth-watering game”.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side meet the Dubs at Croke Park (6.15pm) for a place in the last four of the Sam Maguire Cup race, with Monaghan facing Ulster champions Donegal in the earlier game at headquarters (4pm).

Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of this weekend’s four crunch football clashes in the capital, Devlin reckons that tomorrow’s meeting between his home county and the Dubs will come down to which team can control their own kick-out.

"It's the mouth-watering game that stood out from the off and it's two teams who will think they have a chance," said the two-time All-Ireland winner.

"Kick-outs now are monumental and it's a platform to build from. A lot on Saturday will come down to kick-outs, it's who can control their own kick-out and get their hands on the ball and who can get after the other kick-out and steal possession.

"Whoever does that will win the game."

As for Tyrone’s progress under O’Rourke this season, Devlin added: "I've been really impressed by Tyrone although they got relegated in the National League, they left a lot of points behind but against Armagh they showed serious resilience and to top the group the way they did, with that win in Ballybofey against Donegal, it shows serious belief is with Tyrone."

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