
Dublin boss Ger Brennan insists Kerry are warm favourites to win Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final.
After losing the Leinster final to Westmeath and their All-Ireland SFC Round 1 opener to Louth, the Dubs have turned their season around with massive Croke Park wins over Donegal and Galway in recent weeks, and would appear to be hitting form at the right time. In spite of this and their recent impressive championship record against Kerry, however, Brennan claims all the pressure is on the reigning All-Ireland champions.
"It is probably a unique position. In 2023, the All-Ireland final, Dublin were probably the favourites going into it," Brennan told reporters at this week’s press event in Parnell Park.
"On this occasion, Kerry are certainly the stand-out favourites and all the pressure is on them, in terms of their manager and all the experience of their coaching staff.
"We are a fledgling management group in a lot of ways, with a new squad and a new panel. There is not a whole lot of pressure on us going into this match. We are just trying to ensure that we give ourselves a chance to be there or thereabouts going down the home stretch.
"It is going to be tight either way, and hopefully we will come out the right side of it and I will be chatting to ye again next week."
Brennan also highlighted the vast experience Jack O’Connor and his management team bring to the table.
"Jack O'Connor has won five All-Irelands. He's in his third stint with Kerry. He's up there with Mick O'Dwyer,” he continued.
"Cian O'Neill has won multiple All-Irelands. Back with Kerry again. He was involved with Galway in the two All-Ireland finals too. You've Kieran Donaghy who's gone in having won with Armagh.
"The experience that they have and the medals and the silverware they have brought about as a management team, it just takes a lot of pressure off us. We're only finding our feet at this stage.”
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