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Farney Army look to be on the march to another Ulster final

Monaghan have sneaked into the easy side of the draw

Conor McManus (left) spearheads a sharp Monaghan attack
Conor McManus (left) spearheads a sharp Monaghan attackCredit: Inpho

Outside the top four of Dublin, Kerry, Mayo and Tyrone, the side who could be still around come the autumn are Monaghan and another Ulster final appearance beckons for the Farney Army which could pave the way for a prolonged stay in the All-Ireland race.

Monaghan are 5-4 to get further than Donegal and that price looks all wrong. Malachy O’Rourke’s men have sneaked into the easy side of the draw in Ulster and should have too much firepower for Fermanagh, Cavan and Armagh or Down.

O’Rourke must be the envy of every other manager in the country as he has two top-class attackers at his disposal in Conor McManus and Jack McCarron, who set the league alight with a whole host of dazzling displays.

Hopefully, Darren Hughes will be back to full fitness for the games that matter and Monaghan are a balanced side who could claim a big scalp this summer.

While Ulster looks the most open province, Tyrone and Monaghan are a cut above the rest so the advice is to back them to meet in the provincial decider at a generous price.

Whether Monaghan are up to toppling Tyrone is questionable, but even an Ulster final defeat would set them up very nicely for a spin in the qualifiers.

Donegal blooded some exciting new talent during the league but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating this summer and it looks as if the 2012 All-Ireland champions will struggle without some of their stalwarts.

BoyleSports have priced up some interesting match bets and, as well as Monaghan getting further than Donegal, the others that appeal are Meath to stay around longer than Galway and Cork to outstay Roscommon.

Meath, with Andy McEntee in his first season, finished the league with gusto and they will avoid Dublin until the Leinster final.
Although they lost heavily to Kildare in the opening round of the league, the Royals are progressing nicely and have
found a natural scorer in Donal Lenihan.

They are 8-5 to go further than Galway, which looks a great price considering the Tribesmen have to meet Mayo in the Connacht semi-final, while the 6-5 about them in Leinster without Dublin also appeals.

Roscommon struggled in the league and it could be a short summer for Kevin McStay’s men despite being drawn on the easy side of the draw in Connacht. It is hard to envisage them going far in the qualifiers so Cork appeal at 4-6 in a match bet.

Recommendations
Tyrone & Monaghan to meet in Ulster final
2pts 10-3 Paddy Power
Monaghan to get further than Donegal
4pts 5-4 BoyleSports
Cork to get further than Roscommon
4pts 4-6 BoyleSports
Meath to win Leinster without Dublin
3pts 6-5 Paddy Power

Deputy Ireland editor

Published on inGAA tips

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