Hurling predictions and GAA tips: Cork to advance but Antrim the handicap value

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for this weekend's All-Ireland Championship action.

Best bets

Antrim +10
2pts 13-8 BoyleSports

Antrim +6 on half-time handicap
2pts 21-20 BoyleSports

Kerry +14
1pt 10-11 BoyleSports

Jordan Conway (Kerry) to score a goal
1pt 9-4 Betfair, Paddy Power

Antrim v Cork

GAA Go, 2pm Saturday

It's All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final weekend and Cork and Wexford are red-hot favourites. It would be a massive shock if either side failed to advance, but we did have a major upset in this round three years ago when Laois sent Dublin crashing out.

That result tells you teams cannot be complacent, especially after underdogs Antrim and Kerry served up a fine Joe McDonagh Cup final last weekend.

Antrim came out on top in that encounter, despite a spirited rally from Kerry, and the strongest selections on a tricky weekend come in the Saffrons' clash with Cork.

Antrim have progressed in recent seasons and their 0-5 record in this year's league was no reflection of their performances, as they came within a stoppage-time save of getting a result against Kilkenny and Waterford. They were also denied by a point against Laois.

After winning four of five group games in the Joe McDonagh and lifting that cup, they can approach this major task with no pressure.

Many top sides have found in the Allianz League that nothing is earned easily when travelling to Corrigan Park, and Cork cannot take their foot off the gas.

Antrim should be able to keep the Rebels more honest than a 13-point handicap suggests - take the value 13-8 on offer about Antrim +10.

The Saffrons led by ten points at the break in the Joe McDonagh final and also look a play with a six-point start on the half-time handicap.

Kerry v Wexford

GAA Go, 2pm Saturday

Kerry too look underestimated for their showdown at Austin Stack Park with Wexford.

After trailing by 11 points in the 46th minute against Antrim last weekend, the Kingdom showed admirable determination to keep chipping away at the deficit and fell by only a point.

Wexford are clearly the better side, but with the exception of one standout display when last seen beating Kilkenny, who still qualified for the Leinster final despite losing, the Model County haven't been outstanding in provincial action.

Their shock defeat to Westmeath showed that they can take their eye off the ball, while they were also turned over by a Dublin side who subsequently flopped against Galway and Kilkenny.

There is no pressure on Kerry entering this fixture as 16-1 outsiders and they are worth chancing with a 14-point start, while Jordan Conway, who made such a terrific impression when bagging 2-2 from off the bench last weekend, can raise a green flag at 9-4.

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