Alan Brogan: New challenge for Dublin's senior stars in 2022

Dublin's biggest stars are facing a different type of challenge in 2022 but supporters in the county understand that the team is not where it was a few years ago.

That's according to three-time All-Ireland winner with the Blues Alan Brogan, who was speaking at the Sport Ireland Campus 'Here We Go' launch.

The Dubs claimed their eighth All-Ireland in 10 years in December 2020, but they've been on a downward trajectory since then.

They relinquished their grip on Sam Maguire last August as Mayo punished their inability to finish off their All-Ireland semi-final meeting, despite leading it by five points with just over 10 minutes on the clock.

The Metropolitans followed that up with a first relegation in the National League since Church & General was the name of the sponsor back in 1995.

With a trip to Chadwicks Wexford Park to come on Saturday evening, Dublin are beginning the defence of the only title they have left - pre-season O'Byrne Cup aside - and Brogan says that expectations in the capital are realistic.

"Like any year, the Dublin manager wants to win the All-Ireland, and that's what Dessie's [Farrell] expectation would be," Brogan said.

"Playing Kerry is the big thing. They haven't played them in a while. Kerry have had a couple of defeats in the last few years where they would have expected to win.

"For me Kerry are the favourites this year coming off the back of their National League form. I hope we'll see Kerry against Dublin at some stage and and whoever wins that game could go on to win the All-Ireland.

"There'll be no panic yet. Form hasn't been great in the National League but you would expect this team, even with the problems they've had, to reach an All-Ireland semi-final.

"The personnel is there and if they get the