Sunday hurling: GAA match betting previews and tipping

Waterford v Limerick

Walsh Park, 2pm Sunday

One swallow doesn't make a summer and one bad game doesn’t make a bad team. Limerick have looked unstoppable over the last 12 months, winning the All-Ireland title and the league, but a uncharacteristically poor performance against Cork in their opening game has left them under pressure.

Luckily for them they travel to face a Waterford side with a whole host of problems and should get their season back on track.

Waterford are 0-2 after losing to Clare and Tipperary, and although they fought hard in both, they look quite a bit off the level required.

Limerick came in cold two weeks ago against a Cork side who were match-ready and in some ways it may not have been a bad result as many argued Limerick had been overachieving. They were brought down to earth quickly and will be expected to bounce back now.

Limerick didn’t perform at all with missed passes, uncharacteristic wides and indiscipline costing them. But for a rare off-day for Patrick Horgan, the gap would have been even bigger. John Kiely has reacted by bringing Paddy O’Loughlin and William O’Donoghue into the starting 15, two big, physical players who should make their presence known.

O’Loughlin was a good find for Kiely during the league and it will be interesting to see how he handles the step up and if he’ll be marking Maurice Shanahan, who Paraic Fanning has drafted into the starting line-up.

Although Shanahan should spark some life into the forward line, they have struggled to get scores, averaging just 20 points in their last two games.

These sides met in the league final just two months ago and Limerick were much the better team, prevailing by eight points. It’s hard to see anything different happening this time.

Recommendation
Limerick -3
3pts Evs Paddy Power

Carlow v Dublin

Netwatch Dr Cullen Park, 3pm Sunday

Although extremely likely to be relegated back to the Joe McDonagh Cup for next season, Carlow deserve huge credit for their efforts this year and will undoubtedly have learned plenty from their Leinster Championship campaign already.

They put up a spirited fight against Galway in round one but will be disappointed with their showing against Kilkenny last time. They now face a Dublin side in huge need of a win before their clash with Galway in two weeks as they bid to claw their way into the top three.

Dublin looked good in the first half against Kilkenny but fell apart in the second and were then lucky to snatch a draw against Wexford.

Although they should win, Carlow will be looking to put up a big performance in front of their home crowd and they’re good enough to stay within a nine point handicap.

Recommendation
Carlow +9
2pts 8-11 Ladbrokes

Clare v Tipperary

Cusack Park, 4pm Sunday

Tipperary and Clare put their unbeaten records on the line, although Clare have just had one outing to Tipperary’s two.

Clare had the unenviable task of travelling to Walsh Park in round one but they looked much better than Waterford that day and, although they allowed Waterford back into it late, they should have been further clear at the finish.

Tipperary were written off by many before the championship kicked off but they have proved they are back and with Liam Sheedy at the helm, these are exciting times for Tipperary fans.

Tipp’s forward line has always been their greatest asset with some top-quality players in Seamus Callanan, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer and John McGrath lighting up their attack but they looked to be pushing on and were extremely disappointing last year.

They have completely turned that around and have looked better, and fitter than ever this season. They have clearly put in the work and are reaping the rewards straight away, with two top-class performances this season.

Clare looked electric in round one but their forwards, like Tipperary's, are extremely dangerous on their day. Shane O’Donnell was a livewire inside once again while Tony Kelly finished with five points from play. Kelly has always been key to Clare’s success and he links up well with Colm Galvin.

The worry for Clare is how their defence will cope with the Tipperary forward line. An average of 35 points in their last two games is outrageous scoring and Clare will have to do something to curtail that.

Clare’s saving grace is the home advantage. They are unbeaten at home for the past two seasons and have made a fortress out of Ennis. That should reduce Tipperary’s scoring power as this is a much tighter pitch than Pairc UiChaoimh or Semple Stadium. Expect a much tighter affair with the home side shading it.

Recommendation
Clare +1
2pts 5-6 Paddy Power

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport