Hurling betting preview, tips & TV details

Cork v Tipperary
Pairc Ui Chaoimh, RTE 4pm Sunday

Last year's Munster champions Cork will be keen to get their defence off to a strong start at home against Tipperary.

Tipperary suffered a dismal 2018, not making it out of Munster, but with Liam Sheedy returning to the helm, they look primed to bounce back quickly. Cork will pose them a tough challenge, though.

Cork led Tipperary by nine points at Semple Stadium last summer, before a poor second half and strong Tipperary resurgence saw the tie end in a draw, but Cork can prevail back on home soil.

Cork were inches away from a place in last year’s All-Ireland final and their panel was just not strong enough as they fell to Limerick in extra-time, But with some new recruits and the move of Tim O’Mahony to centre-back, they look much stronger.

Darragh Fitzgibbon was in top form during the Fitzgibbon Cup and the Charleville star can lead the side from midfield. Tipperary have named an all-Maher half-back line, with Ronan in the centre, while Seamus Callanan takes his place at 11.

This Tipperary side has some serious firepower up front but they struggled last year and in this year’s league and it’s hard to know where the improvement will come from.

Recommendation
Cork
2pts 5-6 BoyleSports

Galway v Carlow
Pearse Stadium, 3pm Sunday

The 2017 All-Ireland champions and 2018 finalists Galway open their campaign at home to Carlow and there’s little doubt about where the points will go.

Without Joe Canning, Galway will be relying on some new stars to step up to the plate and Cathal Mannion is likely to be one of them after his move to midfield.

Carlow managed a heroic performance in securing a league draw against Galway, in which Martin Kavanagh was the star, knocking over 11 points with 10 frees. With Galway as short as 1-200 in places, Carlow face an unenviable task but they could be value to stay within a 15-point handicap.

Recommendation
Carlow +15
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Waterford v Clare
Walsh Park, RTE, 2pm Sunday

A hotly anticipated Munster Championship opens on Sunday afternoon with Waterford welcoming Clare to Walsh Park for an intriguing battle.

The bookmakers are struggling to separate the sides and it’s likely there will be little between them after 70 minutes. Waterford fared better in the league and their performances were encouraging, despite a poor loss to Limerick in the final.

They were decimated by injuries in 2018 and will have been disappointed to have not made it out of Munster, having contested the All-Ireland final the year before. Padraic Fanning has taken the helm since and they now have a settled and seemingly stronger squad.

Clare are struggling with injuries of their own but they were close last year and with Tony Kelly back in form they are extremely dangerous. Colm Galvin is an interesting selection at centre-back for Clare and it’s possible he’s there to man-mark Waterford’s star man, Austin Gleeson.

Waterford look the stronger side and home advantage can shade it for the Deise.

Recommendations
Waterford draw no bet
2pts 5-6 BoyleSports, Ladbrokes
Draw or either team to win by one, two or three points
1pt 4-5 Ladbrokes

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