Sweeping changes needed for Kerry to topple Dublin?

Dublin remain the team to catch in 2024 and Kerry will need to make some adjustments if they are to topple their neighbours this summer, according to former Donegal player Mark McHugh.

A hat-trick of goals from Con O'Callaghan ensured an unusually comfortable win for the Dubs on Saturday night.

With David Clifford spurning a couple of goal chances of his own, the scoreline could have had a different look to it rather than the 10-point margin between the sides at full-time, but there was no doubt that Dessie Farrell's side were a cut above, particularly in a devastating first-half display, leading 2-11 to 0-08 at the interval.

While Derry are mounting a serious challenge to the big two, a cursory glance at the bookies shows that the traditional rivals are out on their own, with most edging the Kingdom ahead of the reigning champions at this early stage of the season.

Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast however, 2012 All-Ireland winner McHugh believes the men in blue again are the pace setters.

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"Dublin are still the team to catch," he said in his reflection of the Croke Park league encounter.

"That’s a bit of a marker, I don’t care what anyone says. You can argue that Kerry weren’t at it, but Dublin were awesome in the first half.

"The fluidity they have and they are feeding Con O’Callaghan again, and they are getting their rewards for it."

While Cuala sharpshooter O’Callaghan took most of the plaudits, McHugh was taken by the performance of Ciarán Kilkenny.

The eight-time All-Ireland