All-Ireland Hurling Championship winner predictions and betting tips: Waterford set to make a big splash

Best bets

Waterford to reach All-Ireland semi-final
1pt 4-1 Paddy Power

Waterford to qualify from Munster
2pts 9-4 Paddy Power

Clare not to qualify from Munster
2pts 6-4 Paddy Power

Tipperary to finish bottom of the table in Munster
2pts 6-4 Paddy Power

Kilkenny and Wexford to reach the Leinster final
4pts 10-3 Paddy Power

Galway to not qualify from Leinster
1pt 9-2 Paddy Power

Cathal O'Neill to win Player of the Year
1pt 28-1 BoyleSports

Shane Barrett to win Player of the Year
1pt 16-1 BoyleSports

All-Ireland Hurling Championship predictions

The hype surrounding Cork is well and truly into overdrive and it's difficult to pour cold water over the prospect of the Rebel County reaching the promised land for the first time since 2005 as they look the finished article.

They pulled off a huge feat last year by beating Limerick, who were chasing five in a row, twice in the championship before coming up agonisingly short against Clare in the final. But they have undoubtedly kicked it up a gear if their League campaign is anything to go by after dishing out some serious beatings and racking up huge scores against Clare and Galway, then Tipperary in the final.

Their biggest asset is their panel given they have the likes of Diarmuid Healy, Robbie O'Flynn, Declan Dalton and Shane Kingston in reserve, players who would walk into most inter-county sides. Every team will struggle to cope with the sheer pace, power and directness of their forward line, who have plundered 13 goals in the last three games.

The hugely influential Shane Barrett is set for a big season. His aerial ability and direct running is a huge part of Cork's game and he can play a starring role to put him in contention for individual honours.

It's hard to argue with them being favourites for the All-Ireland but odds of around 6-4 are skinny, especially given they have to navigate their way through Munster first where one or two slip ups could spell the end, best illustrated by the fact Pat Ryan's men were fortunate to make it through 12 months ago.

Limerick ended the League with a concerning whimper, losing to an out-of-sorts Clare before atrocious performances against Kilkenny and Wexford. However, they were missing some key personnel, most notably Kyle Hayes and William O'Donoghue, both of whom seem to make this team tick, while Nickie Quaid's recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture suffered just over four months ago is a huge plus.

Shane O'Brien, Adam English and Cathal O'Neill are starting to come of age and they should supplement their established stars in a big run to recapture the title but their odds don't make appeal. O'Neill has been particularly impressive over the last 18 months and could catch fire this season.

Elsewhere in Munster, Waterford can go on a big run and take the third spot. They were desperately unlucky not to get through last year and are going to be a stronger force this time around. 

They, as expected, landed Division 1B of the League without too much fuss and they have the firepower up front to hurt the best of teams through Stephen Bennett, Dessie Hutchinson and Jamie Barron, while former Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson is a weapon they didn't have last year.

It was only three years ago they were considered the biggest threat to Limerick after strolling to a League success and they've been unfortunate not to make a more significant breakthrough since. Given they've been competing in 1B, they are firmly under the radar and are dark horses to go deep in the competition.

Reigning All-Ireland champions Clare had a wretched League campaign, winning just once and suffering disappointing defeats to Wexford, Cork and Tipperary despite having many of their marquee players back. They will undoubtedly be at concert pitch for championship but the fact they showed so little in recent months is a worry and they'll be missing Shane O'Donnell for the early rounds at least. They will have to hit the ground running in Munster and it's far from certain that they will.

Tipperary were moving well for much of the League but were exposed against Cork in the final and they are likely to find it tough in Munster given they may not have any more gears to go through, while all other teams have plenty of scope for improvement.

The Leinster championship is a very interesting betting heat and Wexford are being underestimated. On the face of it, they were a complete disaster in the early rounds of the League but that was to be expected due to a lengthy injury list and a rebuilding process after several retirements.

Once they had a few players filter back in, they improved rapidly. They went down to Galway by two points in round five but crucial refereeing decisions went against them and their shooting was woeful while they enjoyed convincing wins over Clare and Limerick either side of that.

Lee Chin is up there with the best around, while Rory O'Connor, Cathal Dunbar and Damien Reck showed up really well in their last few games.

Galway are clear second favourites for Leinster but they are routinely overestimated by bookmakers. They lack scoring power, while they didn't make it through the province last year may not be any better this time .

Leinster is Kilkenny's for the taking, especially now they have Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly and Eoin Cody back, but Wexford can emerge as the main challengers, while it could be another difficult season for Galway.

Read more... 

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship predictions and GAA betting tips: Kilkenny can rout Galway in Leinster opener 

Weekend All-Ireland Football match predictions and GAA betting tips: Cork can make life tough for the Kingdom 

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