Clare should end Cork's unbeaten run

Cork v Clare
Semple Stadium, 2pm Sunday

Clare can lift the Munster Championship at Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The new format has been a big success as we have been treated to some fantastic clashes, no more so than when these sides met at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in round one.

Cork were five-point winners but a late Seamus Harnedy goal flattered Cork in what had been a close contest throughout. Bookmakers are expecting another tight battle in what should be a cracking final.

Cork are the only unbeaten side in Munster but they have failed to really fire since that opening win over Clare. They gave up a nine-point half-time lead to Tipperary in round two and had an extra man for much of their encounter at home against Limerick in round three, but both ended in draws.

They even required a late comeback to secure a win against a Waterford side with nothing left to play for in the final round. However, John Meyler will be delighted with his side’s progress. They were shock winners of Munster in 2017 but are now a year older and look more balanced.

Sean O’Donoghue has been a nice find for Cork at corner-back while the ability of Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon to score from distance has given them an extra dimension. In Fitzgibbon, they have a player who can easily take scores from distance similar to Clare’s Tony Kelly.

Their forward line have been the real stars. They tend to rotate their inside line regularly throughout the game but we saw their class in the first half against Tipperary with Shane Kingston, Seamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan dominating Tipperary. The long diagonal balls from defence have caused many teams problems and it will be a key area for Clare to focus on.

Clare have recovered well from that round-one defeat to win three on the bounce, including a late drive against Tipperary and a domination of Limerick.

Peter Duggan has been the star, hitting 1-38 in those three wins and his late point from the sideline against Tipperary showed real signs of leadership from the young man.

This Clare side are full of All-Ireland winners from the 2013 team and while that’s a long time ago now, many of them are only now hitting their prime.

They have threatened over the intervening years but it seems the management team of Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor are finally getting the best from their side again.

Clare have scored just four goals in their four games but they have threatened constantly and they will surely click someday and cause huge damage.

Shane O’Donnell’s first instinct is to lay off the ball to better shooters but goals win finals and he should be more inclined to go for goal this week. David Reidy had his red card rescinded and takes his place at 12. He’s been a great outlet for Clare and it’s worth taking a punt on him to score over 1.5 points as he is also the back-up free taker to Duggan.

Cork's time as the only unbeaten side in Munster should end as Clare can win their first title since 1998.

Recommendations
Clare to lift the trophy
3pts Evens Sky Bet
David Reidy over 1.5pts
1pt Evens Paddy Power
Shane O’Donnell over 1.5pts
1pt Evens Paddy Power

Already advised
Clare May 11
1pt 6-1

Galway v Kilkenny
Croke Park, 4pm Sunday
Croke Park is the venue for the conclusion of the Leinster Championship as Galway bid to retain the Bob O'Keeffe Cup against a Kilkenny side who have dominated this competition for the past two decades.

Galway have undoubtedly been the form team of the 2018 championship and they picked up where they left off in 2017 having won the All-Ireland for the first time in 29 years.

Galway had an extended break over the winter and took their time reintroducing key men to the fold during the league. They failed to gain promotion from Division 1B but that tactic has already paid dividends as they have looked far and away the best team in Leinster, if not Ireland.

They had hardly broken sweat in the early stages of the championship with easy victories over Offaly, Kilkenny and Wexford but although they fielded a slightly weakened team, were pushed close by Dublin and that may be a concern for Michael Donoghue later in the year.

Kilkenny made huge strides early this year as they upset the odds to secure an 18th National League title, beating Tipperary on home soil in the final.

They were branded by many as a team in transition and Brian Cody seems to have accelerated that change. They will be happy to be back in a Leinster final. Like Galway, they were pushed all the way by Dublin and just got out with the win thanks to an injury-time Liam Blanchfield goal. They were thoroughly outclassed by Galway in Pearse Stadium however and it’s hard to see them changing the result this time.

Galway’s size and physicality is well documented but that doesn’t make them any easier to stop. Their defensive spine of Daithi Burke and Gearoid McInerney set the tone for the six backs and they provide the launchpad for a lethal forward line.

Conor Whelan and Conor Cooney have been deadly up front but they are struggling to get goals this year. They hit only two in last year’s campaign and although they hit five against Offaly in round one, they have scored just two in their last three games.

For now, Galway are the team to beat in Ireland. They looked streets ahead of Kilkenny when they last met and the return to Croke Park should improve Galway, rather than bring Kilkenny closer.

They have great memories of their time in Croke Park in 2017, winning all three of their games, and the stadium suits their style of play.

Kilkenny could manage to keep things tight in the first half but Galway are simply too good and they can cover the handicap.

Recommendations
Galway -4
3pts 11-10 bet365
Galway to win Leinster & the All-Ireland title
1pt 6-4 BoyleSports

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