The Short Road to Croker for Dublin
Dublin look so hungry for Sam Maguire this year that they’ve been taking bites out of the current All Ireland champions. At 5/2, Dublin are most pundits tip for the top, they have a huge panel, a title already under their belt and look 2 months ahead of the opposition fitness wise. Only fifteen can start though and Dublin could wilt under the favourite’s tag? Its Jim Gavin’s rookie season and I fancy they’ll come up just short in September.
It’s their year
Another rookie manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice hasn’t the class at his disposal to replace Kerry’s ageing stars. Rivals Cork have taken a walk in the betting after a poor National League and losing Colm O Neill for the season. They look too big at 6/1 as it’s hard not seeing them making another semi final but they lack that top gear and will fall to Dublin in the semi finals. Donegal versus Tyrone is the marquee game early in the championship and the winner should go onto win Ulster, meet Mayo in the semis and will be expected to make the final. No team in the modern era has defended the title except Kerry and that was with two different managers in 2007/2008 and with men like Karl Lacey, Mark McHugh and Neil Gallagher either coming back from injuries or carrying knocks, I cannot back Donegal for a repeat until they come through this match. Mayo is my bold tip and one that I can expect to be crucified for. Again I’d hold off backing them until after the meeting of potential banana skin Galway but if they do not win in Salthill, Roscommon nor Sligo will stop them for 3 Connacht titles in a row. The last time they did that was 1951. If it’s a nice quarter final draw they’ll have the game now to beat Donegal or Tyrone in the semi finals before defeating Dublin in the final to claim their first all Ireland since 1951.
Betting 5/2 Dublin, 9/2 Kerry, Donegal, 11/2, Cork, 10/1 Mayo, Tyrone, 50/1 Galway
John Mulholland is offering an exclusive bet for his customers in all his shops. Can you predict the 8 Quarter Finalists. Last season 7 of the 8 Division One teams made it along with the Division Two champions. Who are your eight sides this season at 16/1
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