Gear yourself for goals as Kerry visit Roscommon

Football
Roscommon failed to find the net in their nine-point loss to Mayo last weekend but they would have scored two or three goals had it not been for some fine point-blank saves from home goalkeeper David Clarke and Sunday's Division 1 clash with Kerry at Dr Hyde Park has goals written all over it.

Roscommon scored two goals in their narrow loss to Donegal in round two and also found the net in their opening outing with Tyrone despite being completely outplayed for long periods.

With Ciaran Murtagh and Cian Connolly in the full-forward line and Fintan Cregg sneaking in at the end of attacks from deeper, Roscommon have the potential to cause Kerry problems.

As for Kerry, they have been bitterly disappointing in this campaign and relegation, is a distinct possibility. Victory is absolutely paramount.

It is hard to envisage Kerry failing to score a goal. Roscommon's rearguard unit is severely lacking in confidence and face a tough task keeping tabs on Paul Geaney, James O'Donoghue and Barry John Keane in a most menacing full-forward line.

Both teams can be expected to get a goal and that is priced up at a generous 11-8 with BoyleSports.

Another wager worth a whirl is the standout 12-1 that the same firm are offering about over 4.5 goals in the game. That same bet is just 17-2 with Paddy Power.

Speaking of goals, traditionally when Meath and Galway meet at Navan a high-scoring encounter can be guaranteed and there is nothing to suggest that history won't repeat himself this time.

Galway got three in their landslide success over Clare last weekend and this Meath defence is here for the taking.

The Tribesmen have quality up front and, although Meath are struggling, they have Cillian O'Sullivan, Graham Reilly and Donal Lenihan up front and managed to get three goals in the last home outing against Derry.

There should be plenty of goalmouth action and there is 5-1 available with BoyleSports about over 3.5 match goals. That's worth taking.

Down finally got back to winning ways after a drought of almost two years last Saturday at the expense of Meath but the standard of football in that outing was particularly poor and that success might be a just temporary reprieve for their supporters.

They visit Derry on Sunday and the layers appear to have read far too much into that workmanlike win over Meath. The home side can be backed at 13-10 to win by two points or more and that looks the best bet of the day.

Damien Barton has named the same side who gained a last-gasp 1-18 to 1-17 win over Kildare and, with James Kielt having the potential to dictate matters from midfield and Enda Lynn, Emmett McGuckin, Niall Loughlin and Benny Heron are all capable of getting themselves on the scoresheet, this looks a home banker.

Armagh might not be the same team they were a decade ago but surely they have enough quality to beat Offaly by four points or more.

They have home advantage, are gunning for the Division 3 title and could not be facing the Faithful County at a better time.

Laois are a team in turmoil and it is hard to see them getting anything out of their trip to Sligo.

The bet that appeals is 9-4 for them to be leading at half-time and full-time.

Recommendations
Both teams to score a goal in Roscommon v Kerry
2pts 11-8 BoyleSports
Over 4.5 goals in Roscommon v Kerry
1pt 12-1 BoyleSports
Derry -1
3pts 13-10 Paddy Power
Over 3.5 goals in Meath v Galway
1pt 5-1 BoyleSports
Armagh -3
3pts Evs general
Sligo-Sligo double result
2pts 9-4 Paddy Power

Cats can bounce back on home soil

Hurling
Could Kilkenny be relegated from Division 1A? Perish the thought.

But, unless they start picking up a few points, the unimaginable could actually happen. The fight for survival could start on Sunday as the Cats look good value on home soil at Nowlan Park against Cork.

The Rebels started the campaign with a wide-margin win over Clare but they were awful in defeat to Dublin and that landslide loss on home soil will surely have effected their confidence.

Kilkenny are best when their backs are against the wall and it is hard to imagine Brian Cody not getting some kind of reaction from his battle-hardened troops having started the season in such lacklustre fashion. Expect a comfortable home win.

Brian Cody looks to have his hands full trying to find a winning formula from his current crop of CatsCredit: Inpho

Galway's quest for promotion to Division 1A was severely dented by a shock loss to Wexford but they ought to have far too much class for a really poor Laois side.

The handicap has been set at 12 points but that might not do the Tribesmen's superiority justice.

The only other bet that appeals on the hurling coupon is Kildare at a generous 21-10 away to Antrim.

Recommendations
Kilkenny -3
2pts Evs BoyleSports
Galway -12
4pts 21-20 bet365
Kildare
1pt 21-10 bet365