Kildare vs Longford: Adam Tyrell to score a goal anytime – 11/4
Genuinely, what is wrong with Kildare? They are the second biggest county in Leinster and for years have been the best-placed team to challenge Dublin in an otherwise uncompetitive province.
Yet, since Dublin’s dominance began in earnest in 2005, they have only played Kildare in two Leinster finals and have only played them five times in total.
Kildare’s excuses are endless and their abject failure in provincial football has been nothing short of embarrassing.
Sure, Dublin are a juggernaut that have a bigger wallet and a bigger player pool than any other county, but Kildare is still six times bigger than Longford in terms of population. That’s how much bigger Dublin is than Kildare.
They have also had a plethora of promising youth teams throughout the 2010s and have failed to harness any of their potential.
The excuses can’t cut it anymore. Against the worst Longford team in years, Kildare were the width of the post away from being dumped out of the Leinster championship yet again. They barely scraped past Wicklow in the preliminary round as well.
Luckily for Kildare, they have a second bite at the cherry and, for underdogs like Longford, they usually don’t get two chances to cause an upset.
Kildare should have too much for them this time around, although that is said without any degree of confidence.
At odds on, Kildare to win isn’t worth a punt because there’s a significant chance that they’ll let you down. The handicap markets are also too volatile seeing as Kildare could just as easily get themselves knocked out as they could romp to victory.
Therefore, we’re advising punters to take a chance on the anytime goalscorer markets.
Adam Tyrell was one Kildare player who left Tullamore with his head held high last weekend. The Moorefield man hit 1-07, with only three points coming from frees. Of all the Kildare forwards, he represents the best bet to find the net again this Saturday.
Cavan v Armagh: Cavan to win – 4/6
Playing on by far the weaker side of the draw, both of these counties have an excellent chance to reach the Ulster final and leave themselves just one win away from the Super 8s. For both sides, it is a chance to reach a provincial for the first time in an age when, at one stage, it was second nature to them.
Cavan, who top the Ulster Championship roll of honour, haven’t played in a decider since 2001, and haven’t triumphed in the province since 1997.
Armagh, on the other hand, perennially made Ulster finals throughout the 2000s, but are currently enduring an 11-year hiatus from them.
Cavan’s four-point win over Monaghan rightly makes them favourites for this one. They were excellent in Breffni Park and executed their game plan to perfection. Despite being relegated, Cavan were also competitive in Division 1 and have been in the top ten teams in the country for a few years now.
Armagh came through a thrilling quarter-final with Down that required extra time. The concession of three goals will be a cause for concern and, against a Cavan defence that looked miserly against Monaghan, something similar will be terminal on Sunday.
It’s set up to be an exciting game with a lot riding on it. Expect Cavan to stifle Armagh somewhat though, and just shade it.
All the GAA markets, bets and more are over at paddypower.com* All odds correct at time of posting and may vary up to throw-in.