The Munster and Leinster provincial finals take centre stage this weekend and Enda McElhinney is on hand to run through his best bets.
The Munster and Leinster provincial finals take the focus this weekend as Limerick and Kilkenny put their titles on the line against Cork and Galway respectively.
The Gaelic Grounds will host the Munster decider on Saturday evening (18:00), while Kilkenny and Galway face off at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon (16:00).
Munster and Leinster provincial finals best bets
Gillane can fire Limerick to Munster glory
Limerick issued a vengeful warning to Cork in the Munster round robin, hammering the Leesiders by 16 points in a majestic display at the Gaelic Grounds last month.
The Rebels had of course ended Limerick’s quest for five-in-a-row in the All-Ireland semi-finals last July, though Cork were then pipped by Clare in a pulsating final.
John Kiely’s side set about reprisal when the sides met here last time, with a sublime display of fast and accurate hurling as Cork struggled to lay a hand on their tormentors.
It’s hard to see how Cork will turn things around here. Limerick and Cork are still operating by the home and away arrangement for Munster finals which pre-dates the current round-robin structure and it surely gives the ‘home’ side a key advantage.
A possible trilogy may play out in the All-Ireland series but, for now, the Rebel rising should be quashed in the Munster final with something to spare.
Aaron Gillane, Hurler of the Year in 2023, produced one of the best moments of the season so far with his goal when these sides met last month and it’s worth backing the Patrickswell ace to find the net again in this Munster final as his movement and devastating finishing can cause Cork no end of problems.
Limerick -2 @ 4/5
Aaron Gillane Anytime Goalscorer @ 11/8
Cats to purr at Croke Park
A year ago, Kilkenny made it five Leinster titles on the trot with a 16-point beating down of Dublin, then led by Micheal Donoghue. The Cats feasted on mistakes from the Dubs and punished them ruthlessly.
Donoghue is now back for a second stint in charge with his native Galway. The Tribesmen have failed to win any of the last five Championship meetings with Kilkenny and there was a 12-point gap when they met in Nowlan Park in April.
Goals have been flowing for Kilkenny in the Leinster series so far, with 14 scored across four wins before the dead rubber clash with Wexford a fortnight ago.
Galway were breached three times by Dublin that same afternoon despite winning what had become a de-facto provincial semi-final at Parnell Park with plenty to spare.
With TJ Reid now in flying form and Fionan Mackessy finding his feet in black and amber, Kilkenny’s attacking talents can put Galway in trouble and goals should help pad out the winning margin as they look to complete six-in-a-row in Leinster.
Kilkenny -3 @ 10/11
