Fermanagh to keep things tight in Ulster final

Donegal v Fermanagh
Clones, RTE 1, 2pm Sunday

Donegal meet Fermanagh in the 2018 Ulster final in what is likely to be a tight and tense affair.

Donegal have undoubtedly been the form team in Ulster this year, notching up impressive scores in their three games and playing a style of football focused on their strong attack.

They have hit 2-20, 2-16 and 2-22 in their three outings, with Paddy McBrearty the key man up front.

Fermanagh, promoted from Division 3 earlier in the year, have continued that strong form into the championship and they have overcome Armagh and Monaghan on their way to the Ulster final.

Their style couldn’t be more different to Donegal as they have focused on a strong defence and conceding as little as possible.

They needed to score just 1-8 against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final as their defence kept Monaghan’s strong attack at bay. They face a difficult task against a strong Donegal forward line and may struggle to get enough scores to keep in touch.

Donegal look like the most likely team in Ulster to make a challenge for the All-Ireland crown and they are much further ahead of Fermanagh. They may struggle to fully break down this defence, however, so it’s likely this will be a low-scoring affair with Donegal coming out on top.

Recommendation
Under 33.5 total points
2pts 4-5 Paddy Power

Dublin v Laois
Croke Park, RTE 1, 4pm Sunday

Dublin go in search of their eighth Leinster Championship in a row at HQ on Sunday against a Laois side making their first provincial final appearance in more than a decade.

This has certainly been a breakthrough year for Laois, who gained promotion from Division 4 earlier in the year and they have made their way to the Leinster final through a tough campaign. It took them extra-time to overcome Wexford in the first round of Leinster and they have since defeated Westmeath and Carlow.

It has been another routine Leinster campaign for Dublin with comfortable victories over Wicklow and Longford and their sights are surely set on the upcoming Super 8s series.

They have picked up where they left off in 2017, securing another league title, and they have barely broken a sweat in the championship.

The loss of Diarmuid Connolly may hurt them later in the year but at the moment they look as good as ever. Michael Darragh Macauley has been in flying from since his return to the starting 15 and he and Brian Fenton should dominate the middle of the field.

Laois will likely look to the skies for inspiration by using a high-ball strategy to utilize the size of full-forward Donie Kingston and they could cause Dublin problems.

While physical, the Dublin defence may be under pressure under a high ball and Laois will hope that an early green flag could greatly aid their chances of keeping in touch.

Recommendations
Laois +16
2pts 10-11 bet365, Hills
Over 0.5 Laois goals
1pt 6-4 BoyleSports

Offaly v Clare
O’Connor Park, 1.30pm Sunday

Clare make the trip to O’Connor Park following a disappointing display against Kerry in the Munster semi-final when they were completely outclassed.

Clare seemed to play into Kerry’s hands that day but they face a much easier task against Offaly.

Offaly’s season descended into disarray following the dismissal of manager Stephen Wallace after their opening-round defeat to Wicklow, but they have recovered since and were comfortable eight- point winners of Antrim in the last round of the qualifiers.

They face a much more difficult challenge though and Clare should have too much quality.

Clare were unlucky to be drawn against Mayo in round three of last year’s qualifiers but they performed with credit in that game and have since finished third in Division 2 of the league. This should be a good opportunity for Clare to get their season back on track.

Recommendation
Clare -2
3pts Evs general

Read Racing Post Sport and racingpost.com/sport every day for the best World Cup betting coverage

World Cup quizzes

Groups A & B

Groups C & D

Groups E & F

Groups G & H

Which World Cup legend are you?

Today's top sports betting stories

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips for the World Cup

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport