Our selections for Sunday's GAA action include a possible upset win for Kerry against Armagh at Croke Park.
Another All-Ireland SFC double-header from Croke Park on Sunday sees the contenders for Sam Maguire reduced to four, with reigning champions Armagh the headline act on the second afternoon of quarter-final action.
Kieran McGeeney’s side stare down Kerry in the marquee clash of the weekend, while before that Galway will attempt to end the hopes of surprise package Meath. Here are our GAA betting tips for Sunday’s two quarter-finals.
Sunday GAA tips
Meath vs Galway Total Points Under 44.5 @ 7/5
Kerry to beat Armagh @ 11/8
Fireworks unlikely in Sunday starter
Meath have been the surprise package this season. The Royals have joined an elite group – joining Tyrone and Offaly – in defeating both Dublin and Kerry in the same Championship campaign.
In between those momentous wins, Robbie Brennan’s side contrived to lose the Leinster final to Louth in Croke Park, a contest they had the better of.
They now face Galway in the last-eight, as Meath bid for a first semi-final appearance in 16 years.
The Tribesmen, meanwhile, have contested two of the previous three All-Ireland finals – losing both – as they attempt to bridge a gap back to 2001 and their most recent Sam Maguire success.
Galway have diced with disaster at times this season but Padraic Joyce’ side have to be admired for their dogged ability to engineer a result, evidenced by the draw in Derry and the recovery from nine points down to beat Armagh at the end of the group stage.
With Shane Walsh showcasing his influence and the likes of Rob Finnerty and his Salthill-Knocknacarra clubmate Matthew Thompson excelling, Galway are rightful favourites, but 4/9 looks a touch short.
Meath’s win over Kerry featured 41 points as the Kingdom faltered, scoring a low tally of 16 points.
It was 44 in the Leinster final despite Louth’s three goals, while Dublin only managed 1-16 in the Leinster semi-final which totalled 42 points as Meath ended that provincial juggernaut.
Galway showed against Down last weekend they will hold possession willingly when leading. Joyce’s side are cautious by nature and Meath may stand off and look to keep this right. Under 44.5 points seems a good target.
Kingdom come to rob the Orchard
All-Ireland champions Armagh are favourites to defeat Kerry and march onwards, but this could be very tight and the 11/8 offered on the Kingdom is hard to resist.
Extra-time was needed to split this pair in last season’s semi-final, though it is worth recalling Kerry were in a dominant spot before a goalkeeping error allowed Barry McCambridge find the net to bring Armagh back from the brink.
The excellent Jarly Óg Burns has stepped up this season and, with Rian O’Neill now back in harness, Armagh are perhaps a stronger side than 12 months ago.
Kerry have stuttered along what should have been a path of far less resistance compared to Armagh in getting here.
Jack O’Connor’s side could, though, raise a proper gallop at any stage. The attacking instincts of Paudie Clifford and Seanie O’Shea are lurking beneath the surface and talisman David Clifford hit an impressive 3-07 against Cavan last weekend.
Notwithstanding some injury worries over Mike Breen, Paul Geaney, Tony Brosnan and Diarmuid O’Connor, this Kerry side shouldn’t be underestimated.
The margins will be thin and this crunch clash should be on a knife edge coming down the stretch but, at the prices, the Munster champions look better value.
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