Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly believes Kerry will take all the beating when the delayed All-Ireland semi-final with Tyrone finally throws-in this weekend.

The six-time All-Ireland winner was speaking to Leon Blanche of BoyleSports ahead of Saturday’s clash at Croke Park and while he expects Kerry to book a final date with Mayo, he rates a repeat of the six-goal thrashing of Tyrone during the National League unlikely.

He said: “We don’t know what way Tyrone are shaping up after the Covid situation and the last time they met in the league it was a hammering from Kerry. I was so impressed by the way they moved the ball that day and Tyrone were just a bit naïve in their defending.

“There isn’t as big a gap between the sides as there was when they played in the National League, because Tyrone have evolved since then and I could see them trying to build around the middle of the park and shut out their own goal, trying to hit Kerry on the counter-attack quickly.

“But this Kerry team have just been awesome this year, they have put teams to the sword and other than Dublin down in Killarney, nobody could really give it back to them.

Connolly also earmarked David Clifford and Sean O’Shea as the two men most likely to lead the Kingdom into the All-Ireland decider.

“David Clifford was fairly quiet on the scoreboard last time out and everybody expects him to be scoring 2-10 or 2-12 every game. But it’s what he did off the ball and how much of a team player he is. I’ve a feeling he will have a huge influence on this game.

“But Sean O’Shea is a standout candidate for man of the match. Everything goes through him for Kerry, he’s as good as Dean Rock on the frees and he’s just so consistent. The last time he played here he got a goal, but he was involved in every play as well, so if he can find himself a bit of space around the 40 and kick off a couple of early points, Tyrone are going to be under big pressure. I see him having a massive game for Kerry.” 

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