DANGER ZONE

Kingdom boss O'Connor knows not to take the challenge of Red Hand lightly

- BY JOHN O'DOWD

AFTER the hype that followed Kerry's destruction of reigning champions Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Jack O'Connor is extremely wary of his side's next opponents, Tyrone.

With this eagerly-awaited lastfour tie down for decision at Croke Park on Saturday (5pm), the Kingdom boss expects a stiffer challenge than the clash with the Orchard county.

"I'd never under-estimate Tyrone," he said. "I've good reason not to. If you look at some of the results they've had, there are not too many teams who go to Ballybofey and win.

"We've found that, even in the League, it's traditionally a very tough place to go. Donegal take you to Ballybofey for a reason, because they see it as a fortress.

"That would have done an awful lot for Tyrone's confidence to go to Ballybofey and win, and any day you beat Dublin in Croke Park is a big day.

"They'll be very confident, and I'd say they'll privately be delighted that there was a lot of noise over the KerryArmagh game.