Kilkenny v Limerick predictions and All-Ireland final hurling specials betting

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for Sunday's All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Limerick.

Where to watch

RTE & Sky Sports Arena, 3.30pm Sunday

Best bets

Limerick substitutes to score four or more points
3pts 13-8 BoyleSports

Declan Hannon to score and Limerick to win
3pts 7-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Declan Hannon to score two or more points
1pt 5-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Gearoid Hegarty to score a goal
2pts 3-1 Bet365

Tom Morrissey to win RTE man-of-the-match award
1pt 16-1 Betfair, BoyleSports, Paddy Power

Diarmaid Byrnes to win RTE man-of-the-match award
1pt 16-1 BoyleSports

Already advised

Aaron Gillane to win Hurler of the Year
1pt 16-1 BoyleSports

All-Ireland final preview

With Ireland bracing itself for a heatwave, substitutes could be called upon earlier than usual in Sunday's big match

Time and time again we've seen Limerick's bench come up trumps in tough situations, as evidenced by David Reidy registering three key points after coming on in the 61st minute against Galway last time.

Odds of 13-8 for the Treaty's substitutes scoring four or more points look more than fair.

Limerick's all-conquering captain Declan Hannon seems to excel in the wide surrounds of Croke Park and rates an excellent bet at 7-5 to score in a Limerick win.

Having scored from play in the 2020 final against Waterford, he popped up with two scores against Cork in last year's decider.

After showing his eye is in when scoring at the same venue in the semi-final last time, he looks worth taking a chance on to score two or more points at 5-2 also.

Top talent Gearoid Hegarty failed to really catch fire against Galway and was subbed off with roughly ten minutes to go

Knowing his quality, though, the 2020 Hurler of the Year will surely be eager to make a statement and could be set for a big final.

He ripped through the heart of Cork's defence to bag two goals in last year's final, and scored a remarkable goal in the 2022 Munster final against Clare.

On another day when playing in better form, Hegarty would surely have tested keeper Eanna Murphy when presented with a live goalscoring chance that was saved in the second half against Galway last time too.

With the possibility of Kilkenny leaving space between the full and half forward lines as they push up, Hegarty could cut loose and raise a green flag at 3-1.

As for RTE man-of-the-match honours, it's worth bearing in mind that seven of the last eight All-Ireland final winners have operated between the half-back and half-forward lines.

A big individual scoring haul isn't essential, with two of the successful players scoring two points and two others bagging four scores.

Like Hegarty, brilliant half-forward Tom Morrissey - by his own high standards - wasn't as effective as he would have liked against Galway and was hauled off after 57 minutes.

However, we've seen major responses from the two-time All-Star winner after below-par performances in the past.

He was subbed off when scoreless in the 45th minute of last year's Munster semi-final but roared back to life with six points in the provincial title game, five points from play in that year's All-Ireland semi-final and three more in the championship decider.

In Limerick's two previous All-Ireland finals, the Ahane attacker scored 1-1 against Galway in 2018 and five points from play in Limerick's 2020 triumph over Waterford.

Odds of 16-1 to be man of the match are too big, while the same can be said for Hurler of the Year candidate Diarmaid Byrnes, whose six points from frees were key to the Treaty securing their final spot last time.

One of the most valuable players in hurling, he looks set to make another significant contribution.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport