KERRY cemented their favourites’ tag for this year’s All-Ireland with a stunning Division One final victory over Mayo – but Steven Poacher believes holders Tyrone have the potential to take down the Kingdom for the second year in a row.

The Red Hands claimed a memorable All-Ireland semi-final win over Kerry after extra-time this year, and also claimed their first victory in Killarney since 2003 on the last day of the league.

Coach Steven Poacher believes that Tyrone – or even another Ulster side – are best placed to frustrate attacking talents like David Clifford, who ran riot on Sunday against a porous Mayo side.

“Of all the teams that are contenders, I think the one team most well-equipped to beat Kerry is Tyrone, or some other Ulster team, as they’re well-versed in setting up attritionally and have a bit more security at the back. Some of the game-play from Mayo has been mad, particularly on Sunday.

“People may argue Mayo weren’t going to show their hand but it seems to be that the only way Mayo play under James Horan is on the front foot and turning the game into a scramble. I watched them against Monaghan in Clones at it was the same template.

“I also spoke to friends of mine from Kerry who were at their league game against Tyrone and it sounded like they did a number on Clifford, that they were able to get bodies around him and suffocate the space he had to operate in.”

Clifford scored 1-5 from play against Mayo in a remarkable individual performance which has almost become the norm for the Fossa star. Poacher was at the game in Croke Park and was amazed by his speed of thought as much as anything else.

“I was at the game with a friend and his wee lad and I said after the Division Two game that we’ll go behind the goals to watch the Kerry forward line.

“I have to say his speed of thought and play is on another level.

“Very early on in the game, Paul Geaney got fouled on the ’45’ and nine teams out of ten would’ve slowed things down with the chance of a scorable free.

“However, Clifford read the situation and knew that Geaney was going to pop back up straight away.

“He leant into O’Hora with a little nudge, won himself a yard of space and away he went, Geaney played in a quick pop-ball and Clifford swung it over the bar. That kinda thing goes unnoticed because of how quickly it happens.

“There’s a few other things about him as well, one of the biggest things he has over other unbelievable Kerry forwards of the past is that he’s in serious physical condition and he has serious stature, you can’t out-muscle this guy.

“His kicking style is another major asset, I can’t remember the last time he was actually blocked because he’s got such a high trajectory on his kicks.

“In saying that Mayo were wildly naive to leave them two-on-two at the back, they were crying out for someone to drop into the space, it was criminal how they left O’Hora exposed.”