This season's championship blasted off like an Amish firework show with Galway struggling to beat New York and struggling even worse to get home again. If GAA HQ want to make sure not to be in the World Cup's shadow and even the Rugby Tours, they'll need to get the PR machine into drive. The way that the championship is scheduled is a disgrace but that's an argument for another day.If the Championship was a bar room brawl (I know many that think it is), The Ulster contingent would be knocking seven shades out of each other at the start, half killing each other in the process. Kerry and Cork would be standing with their backs to the wall watching all around them before moving in late with a few right hooks and attacking the few injured Ulster men standing. Mayo and Galway could have done the same, if they weren't huddled under the table afraid to fight while Dublin in another corner of the bar was beating up 10 year old's, thinking he was the big man until one of the Ulster lads or Kerry or Cork knocked him out with one punch.
So Who is Going to claim Sam this year?
Cork and Kerry have a great advantage which as I said Mayo and Galway could enjoy too if they were ready for the intensity of the other provinces come knock out stage. Cork and Kerry are two teams going in opposite directions, last season they met in the middle with Kerry firing off with one last big victory.
Kerry have now lost Darragh ó Sé, Diarmuid Murphy,Tommy Walsh & Tadhg Kennelly to retirement and the AFL. They are due to meet Cork in the semi's so a defeat here and they will be in the wilderness of the back door and may not be as fortunate as they were against Sligo and Aintrim
Munster: 5/4
All Ireland Champions 3/1
Cork have continued their ascent with a National League triumph. With Cork players having an average height of 8 foot and the speed of a pack of wild hyenas I can't see them not making the final at the worst case scenario. They should win Munster with ease and although its not exactly original but Cork look head and shoulders above the opposition and the 9/4 will look massive come September.
Munster 5/6
All Ireland Champions 2/1
Tyrone: It would be foolish to write off Mickey Harte's men and no doubt Harte has another way to galvanize the troops. He will need to come up with a way to stop Cork in midfield. Relegated despite beating Kerry and Cork in the league.
To Win Ulster 6/5
All Ireland Champions 9/2
Dublin: Don't be such a fool, or if you are, why not stick them in a double with England to win the World Cup. Dublin may very well win the All Ireland and England may indeed win the World Cup, but due to a little thing called hype and population size, these two bets are some of the worst value in the betting game. Dublin flatter to deceive and comparing their price to that of Galway, Mayo , Armagh or Derry, you'll find far better bets at far better odds than 15/2 Dublin. Should win Leinster again
Leinster EVS
All Ireland Champions 15/2
Galway: The first of our two Connacht cowards. Joe Kernan was a shrewd capture as steel is what Galway have been missing. They have not made a semi final since 2002, losing last season to Donegal in the qualifiers. They have the obvious talent with Michael Meehan leading the charge (16/1 to be player of the year) but they stumbled past New York and if their reliance is still on Padraig Joyce (scored 1-07), they haven't a hope. Joyce maybe a top servant to the county but he doesn't possess the speed to compete against the top counties and is easily man marked.
Connacht 11/10
All Ireland Champions 14/1
Mayo: They looked the real deal winning Connacht last season but their capitulation to Meath was as dire as an ash cloud at the Salthill Airshow. They were horrendous again in the NFl final to Cork and if you want to back them for All Ireland glory at least do it each way. They could make their 3rd final in 7 years but a nation will hope they don't perform as they have done, except for all the Galwegians of course. They are scheduled to meet Galway in the Connacht Semi's
To win Connacht 5/4
All Ireland Champions 16/1
Derry had a shocking championship last season and they have had a poor league campaign too. This could be somewhat deliberate as they made the previous two league finals and had no legs left for the nit and grit of an Ulster campaign. A big match against Armagh will tell us all, they haven't lost at Celtic Park in the championship since 1994 and if they get past here, its Monaghan again before a very winnable semi versus Fermanagh or Cavan
Ulster 7/1
All Ireland Champions 28/1
Down are many people's dark horses for the championship and after a great league campaign they have reason to believe. A first round trip to Donegal could be dangerous but Aintrim got a result in Ballybofey last season so its no Fort Knox. However, lose here and they are in to the deep blue sea with many dangers waiting.
Ulster 9/1
All Ireland Champions 33/1
Others to note:
Monaghan (11/2 Ulster, 40/1 All Ire) are dangerous for anybody in the back door but don't possess the full squad to go all the way. Meath (6/1 Leinster, 40/1 All Ire) have punched above their weight the last few seasons making last seasons' semi, can't have them at any price this season. Kildare (9/4 Leinster 33/1 All Ire) are another team who lack the cutting edge come knock out stage. Many Ulster teams would be happy to draw them in the qualifiers but they are drawn to make a Leinster final with a likely route of Louth and Westmeath standing in their way.
Armagh (10/1 Ulster 33/1 All Ire) have now shed the older brigade and with a winning younger crew coming through this could be the season they come back onto the big stage. It will be tough to win Ulster but no side will relish playing them in qualifiers if that is the path they take.
IF YOU PREFER YOUR BETTING ON THE PHONE, OPEN A JOHN MULHOLLAND'S TELEBETTNIG ACCOUNT AND GET A FREE MATCHED €25 BET, CALL TODAY ON 1850 722 722Verdict:
Cork to Win ALL IRELAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 2/1
Provencial Treble
Galway Connacht
Dublin Leinster
Cork Munster 15/2
Win Single
Down to win Ulster 10/1
ALL the fixtures, click here:
http://www.gaa.ie/content/downloads/wallcharts/football_wallchart.pdf
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