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All-Ireland Hurling Championship: preview and best bets

Stronger Limerick ready to repeat their feat of last year

Limerick's Kyle Hayes is one of the best attackers in the modern game
Limerick's Kyle Hayes is one of the best attackers in the modern gameCredit: ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Limerick ended 45-years of hurt last August when finally getting their hands on Liam McCarthy once again and they look great value at 7-2 to hold on to the coveted piece of silverware.

The celebrations which followed were a joy to watch as the we saw a county who craved glory so much finally get over the line. The Mayo footballers are probably the only team who could repeat such scenes in 2019, but the hurling championship is likely to be as exciting as 2018 and it may not be as straightforward as many seem to think, with Limerick now favourites to repeat their success.

Repeating All-Ireland success is extremely difficult and only the great Kilkenny sides have done so in the last decade, but perhaps this Limerick side can buck the trend.

One of the hallmarks of Limerick’s success was the strength of their panel and they’ve only become stronger in 2019, following up that success with a league win with a side including some new faces blended in seamlessly.

John Kiely has consistently spoken about the importance of a panel and his team are living embodiment of that mantra. Limerick’s ability to weave in new talent and still perform to such a high level is impressive and they’ll be difficult to stop.

Level with them in the betting are last year’s finalists and 2017 champions Galway, who have been dealt the cruellest of blows in recent weeks with Joe Canning likely to be ruled out for the Leinster campaign.

In many ways, Galway struggled in 2018, overcoming Kilkenny and Clare only after replays and it’s interesting that both those victories came in Thurles after they failed to win at Croke Park. Galway’s physicality is perhaps not seen to best effect in Croke Park and, as we saw in the All-Ireland final, Limerick were able to counteract Galway’s physicality with their clever use of the ball.

Cathal Mannion’s switch to midfield is a great move for Galway as he has the skill and brain to be extremely effective now that he’s likely to get on much more ball. His ability to take scores from out the field will be very important, as Galway look to deal without Canning. While he will be a big loss, Galway should be strong enough to get through Leinster without him and welcome him back to the fold for an intriguing All-Ireland series.

Looking at the next few sides in the betting, there’s little between all of them but Cork are certainly the standout. Back-to-back Munster Championship wins have been big results for this side but they should now be ready to take the next step following two All-Ireland semi-final losses in a row.

In particular, last season’s loss to Limerick will hurt badly as the depth of their panel was found out, but they will have learned a huge amount from that. Tim O’Mahony’s move to centre-back will be key to their success but he looks the real deal in that position and provides a commanding presence.

Their forwards have never been found lacking and they have one of the best young hurlers in Ireland in the shape of Darragh Fitzgibbon. With the teams behind them in the rankings suffering their various struggles, Cork can make the next step.

Dublin have made huge sides in recent years and can now make the step up to compete in the highest level. A top-three finish in Leinster is within their grasp and that gives them a great chance of reaching the semi-finals at least.

Recommendations
Limerick
2pts 7-2 bet365
Cork
2pts 6-1 BoyleSports
Limerick-Cork straight forecast
1pt 28-1 Paddy Power
Dublin to reach semi-final
2pts 2-1 Paddy Power


Player specials

Magic Mannion set to shine this summer

By Michael Mulvihill

When it came to the individual awards at the end of 2018, it was not surprising to see Limerick take the spoils with Cian Lynch and Kyle Hayes landing the player and young player of the year awards.

But the honour doesn’t always go to the champions and Galway may not need to claim Liam McCarthy for Cathal Mannion to land the hurler of the year award for 2019.

Mannion’s older brother Padraic made the top three in 2018 but Cathal’s move to midfield this year can raise his profile to the next level.

Operating in the forwards the last few years, Mannion is much more suited to midfield and can lead this Galway side in Joe Canning’s absence.

Likewise, while Waterford may not go all the way, Jamie Barron is the key to Padraic Fanning’s side and everything goes through him. He was nominated in 2017 when Canning took the spoils and he won’t be far away if Waterford progress far enough.

Finally, Cork’s Darragh Fitzgibbon has a lot of playing time under his belt already in 2019 but was given a break towards the end of the league and he’ll be key to Cork’s progress.

Adrian Mullen looks the pick of the young hurlers breaking on to the scene in 2019 and for a Club Hurler of the Year is overpriced while the devastating Aaron Gillane can top the scoring charts from play if he continues his current form.

Dublin have had a solid league campaign under new manager Mattie Kenny and Eoghan O’Donnell has been a huge presence at full-back. O’Donnell has impressed for DCU over the last few years and will be key to Dublin’s championship run.

Peter Casey had to make do with a spot on the bench in 2018, his progress hindered by. Na Piarsaigh’s club run, but with a full league campaign under his belt now, he looks likely to start and is a real star.

The lively corner-forward is deadly in possession and can take scores from anywhere. Expect big things from the young man in 2019.

Recommendations
Cathal Mannion Hurler of the Year
1pt 20-1 Paddy Power
Jamie Barron Hurler of the Year
1pt 22-1 Paddy Power
Darragh Fitzgibbon Hurler of the Year
1pt 28-1 Paddy Power
Adrian Mullen Young Hurler of the Year
1pt 16-1 Paddy Power
Aaron Gillane top scorer from play
2pts 6-1 Paddy Power
Eoghan O’Donnell to win an All Star
1pt 6-1 BoyleSports
Cathal Mannion to win an All Star
2pts 11-4 BoyleSports
Peter Casey to win an All Star
1pt 7-1 Paddy Power


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Published on 8 May 2019inGAA tips

Last updated 13:08, 10 May 2019

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