In order to pick a winner for 2016
We rang up former All Ireland winner with Meath Colm O'Rourke
Paddy Power has a whole load of markets available on the GAA Championship this year and you’ll be able to read my full views on the summer ahead right here. Despite the bookies favoring another Dubs domination, there’s a couple of nice bets around including a provincial fourfold which reaches 7/1.
Ulster
We start with the most competitive of the four provincial championships as teams like Tyrone, Armagh, Derry and Down try to break the stranglehold that Donegal and Monaghan hold over the Anglo-Celt Cup. Six counties have a chance of winning.
Full Ulster Championship betting here
The last six titles have been split between them, but they will meet in the quarter finals if Monaghan overcome Down. Tyrone look like a team on the march and it is their Ulster championship to lose. Donegal have run their course. Monaghan should get past them but there’s no stopping the Red Hand.
Munster
Is it a foregone conclusion that Cork and Kerry will contest the Munster final? Yes.
You’re talking about two proven Division 1 teams against Division 3 or 4 elsewhere. Tipperary are still the best of the rest but they won’t go close to Cork. The Rebels have gone backwards since last year but are motoring well underage.
It should be Kerry winning Munster but the League final defeat to Dublin has hurt them. It was a huge knock to their confidence and a big loss of pace in the back lines.
Connaught
Connaught should be a bit more open than it has been in previous year’s thanks to the emergence of Roscommon last year and during the League campaign. Mayo are on course for a semi final with Galway if all goes well.
Galway failed to get out of Division Two again. I saw them live a few times and wasn’t particularly impressed. They’ve made no progress.
Roscommon barely avoided a banana skin against New York and were beaten well in the League semi. But they’ve a bit more in the tank and should reach the final. But Connaught belongs to Mayo.
Leinster
Dublin will dispatch of Louth or Meath. They will dispatch of anyone they play in their province because it’s an absolute cakewalk against lower teams. The league final will stand good for them. Their subs bench would walk into any team in the country. They will win Leinster.
Who’s the closest to them? Probably Kildare who will play lower teams in their half also.
The All-Ireland Series
I think that it’ll be those four in the semi-finals. All four to win their respective provincial championships is 7/1 with Paddy Power. My prediction for the final is Dublin vs Mayo.
Footballer of the Year
Round up the usual suspects from the Dublin ranks. Brogan, Flynn, Connolly have all proven their quality but I’d look at James McCarthy. Maybe look for Tiernan McCann, James O’Donoghue or Aidan O’Shea as the best of the rest.