Eleven teams will be knocked out of the Championship this weekend, along with Sligo who were knocked out without kicking a ball. Things are getting very interesting in what is a unique championship. But why not consider a few bets to make it that bit more intriguing?
Saturday picks:
Cork vs Dublin (Hurling)
Cork 4/7, Draw 9/1, Dublin 15/8
This could be a tough one to call and promises to be a close game. Dublin were within a point of last years All-Ireland finalists last week, so will be no pushover for Cork. Cork are favoured -2, so why not bet on Dublin and take the 2 points?
Verdict: Dublin +2
Clare vs Laois (Hurling)
Clare 1/20, Draw 25/1, Laois 9/1
Clare are obviously big favourites for this one, but we now know that Laois were beaten by a good Dublin team. Eddie Brennan has done well with this Laois team and I expect they will put up a good fight. The 11-point spread looks attractive here.
Verdict: Laois +11
Limerick vs Tipperary (Football)Â
Limerick 11/4, Draw 17/2, Tipperary 2/5
Limerick are coming into this off the back of promotion from Division 4 and a convincing win over Waterford last week. Whereas Tipperary had a shaky Division 3 campaign followed by a win against Clare last time out. I see limerick winning this but maybe back the handicap to be safe.
Verdict: Limerick +3 looks a certainty
Sunday Picks:
Roscommon vs Mayo (Football)
Roscommon 2/1, Draw 15/2, Mayo 4/7
Let’s look at the bigger picture here. Mayo had an awful league campaign with one outlier victory over Galway perhaps creating a bit of recency bias in our minds. Roscommon on the other hand had an excellent League campaign which earned them promotion from Division two. Add to this Roscommon’s home advantage if that still exists in these times. Yet, Mayo are heavily favoured against a team who beat them at the same stage last year. I see this as a 50/50 battle. Why not back Roscommon with those odds? Or at least take +2 points against the spread.
Verdict: Roscommon outright
Cork vs Kerry (Football)
Cork 9/2, Draw 11/1, Kerry 2/9
Kerry look to be the form team of this year’s championship and I expect they will win here. However, Cork have been steadily improving for the last couple of seasons. Last year they lost by just 3 points against Kerry. I expect a close game here.
Verdict: Cork +5Â
Fermanagh vs Down (Football)
Fermanagh 2/1, Draw 15/2, Down 4/7
Down had an efficient Division 3 campaign which earned them promotion. Whereas Fermanagh are headed down to division 3 next year. Fermanagh’s conceded a big score in a short period of time to allow Laois stay up in Division 2. Down are the for team here so I am taking them.
Verdict: Down -2
