Dublin defender Paul Flynn believes his side can take advantage if Donegal find it difficult to defend their All-Ireland title next season.

Set to return from injury for the start of the National League in February, Flynn is confident Dublin will prosper under new boss Jim Gavin.

Flynn said, “I’d have been confident going in against Donegal this year if we got the chance. We had beaten them before.

“They were obviously a little bit more attacking than last year so there might have been more holes at the back, but in the overall scheme of things they were the best team in the championship. Fair play, they deserved their All-Ireland.

“Donegal are up on a pedestal now. It looks like they’re going to be the team to beat again next year but it won’t be easy for them. Defending an All-Ireland title never is.”

Meanwhile, Dublin boss Gavin has recalled Declan O’Mahony to his squad for 2013 after dispensing with Eamonn Fennell and Ross McConnell.

Meanwhile, former Dublin boss Pat Gilroy admitted during the all-star tour to New York that he would have quit the Blues even if they had won the 2012 All-Ireland title.