My head hurts just looking at all. World Cup last 16, The G.A.A explodes into life, The Irish Derby at the Curragh, 11 hour tennis matches at Wimbledon, Ireland playing their last summer tour rugby match against the Wallabies and even Harrington is could make it two Irish winners on the bounce in America. If the missus wants a weekend away, make sure she takes the kids with her.
GAA:It really is such a shame that the GAA’s big weekend will have so many other distractions but what can we do but make sure the batteries are working in our remotes or perhaps even head for Pearse Stadium instead and take a pocket radio with us. Galway take on Sligo in the Connacht Semi final and there was nothing lucky about the way the Yeatsmen took Mayo apart. Galway’s win against New York can’t be assessed properly and if they don’t show a strong physicality under Joe Kernan, Sligo could do the double over the big two before even a Connacht final. However I think the Tribesmen will be up for this and no element of surprise will catch them out like it did Mayo. The league form is not something to take as Gospel but they scored well in it and averaged 17 points a game. That kind of score should see them prevail by more than 4.
In the Hurling Galway try to put to bed a match they were expected to win with ease if they were to pose any challenge to the Cats this season. Offaly put it to their old boss last week and I expect he put it up to his players this week in training. The shackles should come off now and expect Galway to open up on Offaly. I expect the handicap will be exceeded with ease.
The backdoor in the championship is now open and the tie of the round is unquestionably Armagh V Donegal. Armagh were shocking against Monaghan after winning league 2 while Donegal has Down on the ropes before resorting to their old hand pass all day and go nowhere football. I make Armagh the bet of the round and couldn’t believe my eyes they were 4/6. I’d of made them 4/11 shots in Crossmaglen. In the other matches Antrim could be worth a nibble at 7/4 while in the Leinster Semi Final, Betpack will be running their Desperate Dubs special and will be best industry price about Dublin v Meath. I rate Dublin as highly as I rate England at the World Cup, useless! It would be in their interest to lose this match as no doubt they will be rewarded with a tie against Cork in the ¼ finals if the win Leinster again and get destroyed in front of their delusional blue fans.
World Cup:This World Cup is working out like WW2 - France has forfeited, the USA turned up late, and England is left to fight the Germans. Except this time England will not have celebrate Victory in South Africa Day. I expect The Germans to destroy England and if they do make it as far as penalties, how would you price that up? Considering Germany have not missed a penalty in 34 years? Yes the notion that this is a pick em is laughable. Ozil and co will run rings around England and it’s your patriotic duty to take the 10/11 on offer.
Of the other matches I expect USA, Uruguay, Argentina, Holland to qualify and I was quite impressed with Japan who have really turned it around having entered this World cup with shocking form..
In the Rugby Ireland face Australiaand the Aussies injuries are racking up and they will be smarting from the England match last week. They were outfoxed by their old foe and Ireland will suffer the consequences on Saturday morning. Ireland just don’t look strong enough up front and although they have ammunition in the backs I can’t see The Wallabies not covering the handicap of 10 points
Australia: James O'Connor; Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper; Quade Cooper, Luke Burgess; Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Salesi Ma'afu, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom (capt), David Pocock, Richard Brown.
Replacements: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Mark Chisholm, Matt Hodgson, Josh Valentine, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale.
Wimbledon: Well what a match, I think John Isner must be the only person in history not to be able to get a Frenchman to surrender easily. Federer and Nadal have both looked far from flawless after both getting 5 set matches in week one and somebody could come from the back. Murray has looked better than he played all season and he is going about his business better with less media attention. However if England get knocked out by Germany it could actually hinder his own chances as the media return for their search for a British/Scottish winner. I still like the look of Andy Roddick this time
Finally what a weekend of racing. The Irish Derby has mobbed to 5.10 on Sunday to get out of the world cup’s way. Lets hope it doesn’t go to penalties. Aidan O Brien is going for his 5th straight winner in the race. He has English and French Derby flops Cape Blancoand Jan Vermeerand Derby second and subsequent Ascot flop At First Sight. The winner though could break the sequence and I like Chabal, Favourite for the Dante, he ran a lifeless race but Godolphin were in poor form and although not a sparkling Royal Ascot, this horse looks tailor-made for a Irish Derby and if still trained by Bolger would be a single figure price. Get on!
On Saturday, Northumberland Plate is the big race and a difficult puzzle to solve. Galway winner Drunken Sailor deserves respect at a big price even with a high weight, he’ll love the ground, the draw will be no worry as he likes to be held up and he can gun them down late to claim victory
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