Ciarán Whelan: Ruthless Derry are 'serious contenders' for Sam Maguire

Derry are "serious contenders" for All-Ireland glory on current form according to Ciarán Whelan.

Rory Gallagher's side were not shy in front of goal as they swept Clare aside by a 5-13 to 2-08 win at Croke Park on Saturday to reach the semi-finals.

Standing between them and a first All-Ireland final appearance since 1993 are Galway on 9 July at GAA HQ, while the two championship favourites Dublin and Kerry contest the other semi-final the following day.

Derry have not had an easy run to the last-four of the All-Ireland. They beat last year's champions Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal on route to the Ulster title to bridge a 24-year provincial drought, before seeing off Clare.

And with the team in irrepressible form, Whelan believes they can be a match for any of the remaining teams.

"They were top class [against Clare]. They're serious contenders, no doubt about it," the RTÉ GAA analyst told The Sunday Game.

"They're ruthless in everything they do and every player is buying in with a work ethic that makes them extremely difficult to beat. They were just a touch of class above Clare."

"They are serious contenders" Ciarán Whelan said Derry were "top class" in their victory over Clare. #SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/ajXltq528B

While Whelan pointed out that Derry's reputation as a well-structured defence comes before them, he added that "they have it all" in attack.

"They are contenders, there is no doubt about it," the former Dublin footballer reemphasised.

Who will contest the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final? Seán Cavanagh, Ciarán Whelan and Colm Cooper make their semi-final predictions. #SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/QBr190hGNa

He tipped Derry and Kerry to advance to the final, which fellow Sunday Game