Another round of shocks ? Gaa Weekend 04-05 June

Fair play to the Ulster folk for coming out in numbers for Armagh v Down. It was a cracker of a match but I still believe it should have been used to open the whole championship as opposed to play second fiddle to the Champions League. What a fantastic game all the same and delighted my tip Armagh won. They are now 3/1 from 8/1 to win Ulster championship and 25/1 from 40/1 for All Ireland glory.

Tyrone vs Monaghan Sunday at 3:30

Monaghan meet Tyrone is a repeat of last season’s Ulster final. Back then Monaghan were many people’s favourites that day but were routed by a superior Tyrone outfit. That defeat signalled the end of the Seamus McEaney era and with it some of the panel decided to give in to retirement and emigration. This Monaghan side will bear little resemblance to that side and it would be a manmouth task to go to Amagh and collect the win. Tyrone could start both Brian Dooher and Stephen O Neill so it’s hard to judge where they are at presently but Tyrone deserve to be 4/11 shots and it’s hard seeing an upset here:

Verdict: Tyrone 4/11

Meath vs Kildare Sunday 2:00

Seamus McEnaney' has moved down the road to take charge of Meath and caused great controversy with the call up of Graham Geraghty. Whether he still has the ability to do it at 38 and 3 years out of the game is not my biggest worry. It’s the effect it will have on the other Meath players. The signal is out; the manager doesn’t believe in this squad and is trying to pull rabbits from a hat. I expect Kildare to destroy Meath and make them my bet of the week.

Verdict Nap: Kildare 8/13

Dublin vs Laois Sunday 2:00

Dublin play their first game since that horror collapse to Cork and it’s really anybody’s guess how they will perform. They could beat Laois out the gate or could start sluggish and nervous and Laois will be attractive on the handicap plus 5 points. I’d stay away altogether for now.

Verdict Nap: No Bet

Limerick vs Kerry Saturday 6:45

One team I will be backing on the handicap is Limerick +7 even with the loss of Stephen Lucey and of John Galvin. Expect Limerick to drop in high balls under a susceptible keeper and I can see Limerick nicking two goals here to beat the spread. Kerry will look to just get the job done and wait a ridiculous 4 weeks to the Munster final.

Verdict Nap: Limerick +7 10/11

Cork have a simple engagement to Waterford and Galway’s foray against Westmeath the hurling are pretty much rubber coated, Shock Proof

One match many assumed was shock proof was last week’s meeting between Mayo and London. I joked at the start of the season that Galway would beat Mayo in the Semi’s IF Mayo could get passed London. They didn’t deserve to and they will amount to little in the backdoor this season. Out to 33/1 and in truth should be double that.