UNDERESTIMATING KERRY'S NORTH ON

A COMMON theme over recent years of underrating Kerry is coming out of Ulster again this week.

- KARL O'KANE

How easily they are dismissed by some is surprising Jim McGuinness may have a team that's a force of nature, as they showed off a two-week break to ruthlessly dispose of Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final.

They may be on a mission, having already played 10 Championship games, two more than Kerry.

They may have a goalie that kicks balls like an Exocet missile.

Defenders that tackle aggressively in packs without fouling and players that break at frightening pace in ridiculous numbers.

Donegal have a slight edge in counterattacking at lightning speed, but Kerry tackle just as ferociously in packs - an area they are totally underrated in.

They also have a goalie who's as safe as houses, long and short, and crucially, nails his short kicks-outs when they need the ball late on.

They've also disposed of Armagh and Tyrone in the quarter and semi-finals.

And they have three forwards who are probably better than anything Donegal have in the two Cliffords and Seán O'Shea.