Early Payout & Clarinbridge the team to fear

They think it’s all over

So after the Munster final victory for Kerry, we now know the winners of this seasons four provincial championships. Yes I know we have the small matter of playing three finals but in many people’s eyes they’re dead rubbers and John Mulholland has taken the unprecedented step and already paid out on Mayo, Donegal and Dublin to retain their titles for the third year in a row. Many people are talking about landslide victories in the championship making it a poor season but just wait until the August bank holiday when the real championship begins and my moneys on it turning into one of the best ever. Right now and since the start of the season Mayo is my first choice at 9/2

Well Nowlan Park & Croke Park served up two intriguing battles and the complexion of the hurling championship looks so different from last week. Seven days ago Kilkenny were on the precipus whilst Galway were the favourites at 5/2. Where do Anthony Cunningham’s men go from here? Well the quarter finals of course and I know the mood in the west is quite sombre but Dublin were the battle hardened side with huge momentum going into the match. Kilkenny got caught cold in a Leinster final last year and recovered so don’t lose total faith in the tribesmen, in fact now might be the time to invest in Galway at the inflated odds of 13/2

Bridge to bust the Bookies
One team Mulholland fears winning this weekend is Clarinbridge at 9/4. Could they really eliminate champions St Thomas this weekend? A draw will be enough and lets not forget a few shrewdies backed them outright at 40/1 and 12/1 to top group A. Paul Coen is doubtful with a broken bone. In the other group A match Portumna are unbackable at 1/20 to make light work of Killimordaly. In Group B, we know Ardrahan are already through but can they do their fierce rivals Gort a favour and beat Turloughmore. Betting will be volatile here as we could see a dive but right now Turloughmore are 4/6 to progress. Group C and Group D see two shootouts for the final places in the last eight. First up Castlegar(8/11) meet Kinvara(5/4). I’ve been sweet on Kinvara all year and think they’ll come through tight one. Group D sees Beagh(4/5) and Kiltomer(11/10) clash and this one I’m firmly on the fence. Happy punting.

The All Ireland Hurling Championship 2010

Trabolgan and Delphi must be making a fortune thanks to Eyjafjallajökull. With the banks, Bjork and that bloody Volcano, Iceland has the world ruined. I'd add Kerry Katona to Iceland's crimes against humanity also. If your holiday has been scuppered and you've managed to get a refund out of Ryanair, another Irish institution that could be getting plenty of your money this summer is the GAA. The volcano might be starting to settle down now but with such uncertainity all summer and a recession reason enouigh to stay at home expect attendances to hold up throughout the championship with a hot summer promised, please God.

So who are worth following this season. Can John McIntyre bring Galway to the promised land? Will the Cats make it 5 in a row or will Tipp continue their upward curve to claim their first title since 2001.

Kilkenny have started to look human this season with 3 losses in the league this season. Brian Cody's men will start the season odds against at 5/4. Not as much new blood is coming through but the quality of Shefflin, Hickey and Brennan see the Cats still the team to beat and the league campaign will be a distant memory. They are drawn to start in the Leinster Semi's so its 4 matches in a row to make it 5 Liam Mc Carthy's in a row
Mulholland's Price 5/4
To Win Leinster 2/5

Galway:Optimism is growing in the county that John McIntyre can lead the county to the big one for the first time since 1988. Portumna may have lost the club crown this season but their starlets are everybody's tip to dethrone Kilkenny. They very well may win a Leinster Championship but slaying Kilkenny here may actually work against them as the system allows a team like Kilkenny to come back at them like a Hydra Dragon. One extra game and they are in the exact same system but at least they won't have to beat them again until the Final in September
Mulholland's Price 9/2
To Win Leinster 12/5

Tipperary: The premier county were 7/2 last season but are now down to 9/4. They looked to have Kilkenny in bother until that sending off last season and they should now have the belief after the league win and the manner in which they played last season to fancy stopping Kilkenny. Midfield looks their weakness and a huge semi final and final against either the Cats and Galway in either order makes them a poor price in my opinion. They also start in the quarter in Munster against Cork makes it a long way to September
Mulholland's 9/4
Munster Evs

Cork: Now that strikes are a thing of the past, the Leesiders can concentrate on getting to back to finals again. They have a big squad so there should be plenty of competition for places but the manner in which Galway took them apart in the League Final was worrying for Rebel fans. They just couldn't go with them and don't look to have that gear that they need to go to.
Mulholland's Price 7/1
Munster 11/4

Waterford look like the Liverpool of Hurling this season. A second tier team with a fee stars but mostly average players. They may well take a scalp in Munster and a meeting with Clare in the Semi's give them hope of making a Munster Final but that will be as good as it gets
Mulholland's Price 18/1
Munster 11/4

Dublin looked to be making great progress last season nearly making a semi final but this has been a season to forget with 5 out of 7 defeats in the league. They should beat Carlow or Laois but a hiding by Kilkenny awaits in the Leinster Semi Final.
Mulholland's Price 100/1
Leinster 20/1

Verdict: Galway to beat Kilkenny in the Leinster final but Kilkenny to avenge that defeat in the All Ireland Final

OPEN A PHONE ACCOUNT WITH JOHN MULHOLLAND TODAY ON 1850 722 722 GET A FREE €25 MATCHED BET

Gaa Hurling Fixture