This column first appeared in Galway Independent on 14/05/2014
3
predictions for Gaelic football this season
The
rise of Cork
One All Ireland under Conor Counihan always felt like
underachievement. The dismantling of Tyrone in 2009 was the greatest single
performance I have ever witnessed at Croke Park. Nerves against their greatest
rivals Kerry and a lack of a second gear seemed to be their undoing but this
season under Cuthbert the rebels have been revived. A young vibrant squad, this
team now looks the biggest danger to supposed certainties Dublin. They will
learn from that semi final defeat and I’ve seen enough this season to consider
them potential winners. Everybody raves about Dublins amazing comeback in that
semi final but Cork blitzed the champions in the first half and Colm O Neill’s
goal threat looks the key ingredient to a big summer. Cork fell apart in the
middle of the field that day allowing Dublin to win every kick out in the
second half. This will not be repeated and right now I find it hard to see Cork
not making an All Ireland final. In Munster they’re odds on to beat a Colm
Cooper-less Kerry and considering victory there means they avoid Dublin and the
Ulster Champions until the final, they are the bet of the season each way at
6/1 or 2/1 to reach the final.
The
fall of Mayo
Now let me be clear before any Mayo head reading this hands it to
James Horan. This is my views and nobody else’s. It doesn’t reflect the views
of the Mulholland organisation especially the man who is currently Galway
manager. Mayo will win nothing this year. Having boldly tipped them at the
outset last year at 12/1, I was firmly in the camp that believed 2013 was their
year. Even as Cillian O’Connor stood in front of the goal, with the game on the
line, I thought they'd win it. Twice beaten finalists, I could forgive them losing
to Donegal’s early sucker punches in 2012 but last year they choked. End of. Dublin
were on the rack and Mayo could not finish them off instead conceding a soft
goal and going in only a point in front after a first half of dominance. Even
if they get back to the level of play they reached last season, Dublin are now
superior to their 2013 side, Cork are on the rise and will pose a mammoth task
in the semi finals and half of Ulster is now on a more than capable of reaching
their level and can knock them out in the quarter finals. At 6/1 they are horrendous value to lift Sam. From
a betting point of view I'd be inclined to take the 5/2 they don't even win the
Nestor Cup this year. Roscommon are capable of an upset in a year I expect
Horan’s men to go backwards after years competing at the highest level.
outset last year at 12/1, I was firmly in the camp that believed 2013 was their
year. Even as Cillian O’Connor stood in front of the goal, with the game on the
line, I thought they'd win it. Twice beaten finalists, I could forgive them losing
to Donegal’s early sucker punches in 2012 but last year they choked. End of. Dublin
were on the rack and Mayo could not finish them off instead conceding a soft
goal and going in only a point in front after a first half of dominance. Even
if they get back to the level of play they reached last season, Dublin are now
superior to their 2013 side, Cork are on the rise and will pose a mammoth task
in the semi finals and half of Ulster is now on a more than capable of reaching
their level and can knock them out in the quarter finals. At 6/1 they are horrendous value to lift Sam. From
a betting point of view I'd be inclined to take the 5/2 they don't even win the
Nestor Cup this year. Roscommon are capable of an upset in a year I expect
Horan’s men to go backwards after years competing at the highest level.
The
most open Ulster ever
Nostradamus couldn't predict who'll win Ulster this year. There
are 6-7 genuine contenders. Right now at the odds I'd say Cavan (11/1) are the
value whilst Donegal (7/2) are hard to get excited about but I'd hang my hat on
nobody right now. At 25/1 I’d venture Cavan, Derry, Monaghan and Tyrone to join
Dublin, Cork, Kerry and (maybe) Mayo in August Bank Holiday weekend. By the way
John Mulholland are betting on which side will produce the most black cards
this season and no surprise that Tyrone are 7/2 favourites. Look below for many
more markets.
Opening weekend Acca
Roscommon, Laois, Longford and Tyrone is hard to see past at 5/2
Opening weekend Acca
Roscommon, Laois, Longford and Tyrone is hard to see past at 5/2
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