GAA Championship: Three pucking great punts on the hurling semi-finals

Galway v Clare, Croke Park, 5pm Saturday

Clare to score over 23.5pts – 11/10

Galway have been extremely solid in defence this year, but they are yet to meet a challenge like Clare and they may struggle at times to contain their exciting attack.

The Banner have hit some big scores throughout the Championship as their direct running style can leave defences under huge pressure and they can take advantage of an immobile Galway defence.

The Trobesmen have six very physical backs and while they’ll likely dominate the aerial battle, they could struggle if players like Tony Kelly, David Reidy, Colm Galvin and Shane O’Donnell run at them.

Clare have averaged 27.3 points across their six championship games and have hit 24 or more in all six, so expect them to put up a strong score once again.

Racing Post pick: Clare to score over 23.5pts

D Reidy to score more than J Cooney – Evens

David Reidy has been a key player for Clare in 2018 and he’s carried his strong league form into the Championship. Reidy has hit 1-4 in his last two games and his style makes him extremely difficult to stop.

He has the ability to take scores from distance and his speed leaves him space regularly.

He’s evens to score more than Joe Cooney, who’s only scored a point in each of his last two games.

Racing Post pick: D Reidy to score more than J Cooney

Cork v Limerick, Croke Park, 3.30pm Sunday

Either Team to win by 1 to 4 or Draw – 4/5

The bookmakers are struggling to separate them and this looks like a clash that could go right down to the wire.

Cork and Limerick played out a 1-25 to 0-28 draw when they met earlier in the Championship and while Limerick only had 14 men for much of that game, this is likely to be another very close encounter.

Both sides have taken different routes to this stage since that draw, but both are coming into this game off the back of massive wins.

Cork defended their Munster crown with a win over Clare, having trailed by eight points, while Limerick gained their first Championship win over Kilkenny since 1973. This is sure to go the stretch and a draw or either team to win by 1-4 points at 4/5 looks like great value.

Racing Post pick: Either Team to win by 1 to 4 or Draw

* All odds correct at time of posting.