Tipperary to tame Kilkenny once again

Tipperary can prove themselves to be the top dogs of the hurling world right now by repeating last year's All-Ireland final victory over Kilkenny on home soil at Semple Stadium.

Quite simply, Tipperary have looked in a different league to any other side we have seen in Division 1A this year. They had 16 points to spare over Dublin in round one, were six clear of Waterford at the final whistle in round two and eased past Clare by seven points last weekend. It seems they are getting better and better.

Despite being without the services of ace attacker Seamus Callanan against Clare, Tipperary still racked up an impressive tally of 0-28 with John McGrath, John O'Dwyer and Noel McGrath contributing 0-18 of that between them. It was almost as if the All-Ireland champions were coasting through the tie in second gear.

They have options everywhere. Michael Ryan can call on any one of 28 to 30 players to do a job and he can almost guaranteed it can be done.

Relegation worries
Kilkenny eased their relegation worries with a seven-point win over Cork last weekend but that was a game they simply had to win and they actually made hard work of it. They do not look the force of old and Brian Cody must be starting to worry about where the scores are going to come from in the big games.

There is no bigger game than a trip to Tipperary and I think the hosts have a much bigger spread of scorers.

Despite the fact that Tipperary have only scored two goals in their three games to date, they have been creating good opportunities and the floodgates will open soon. It could be tonight and the 8-11 about them getting at least two goals appeals.

A snug success for Tipperary is expected so backing them at odds-against to win by four points or more looks a safe play.

Limerick should have little difficulty in disposing of Laois in Division 1B and the 8-1 about them getting five goals looks far too generous.

They netted six times against Kerry, a team of a similar standard to Laois, and the layers might have underestimated how superior they are.

Recommendations
Tipperary -3
2pts 11-10 general
Tipperary over 1.5 goals
2pts 8-11 Paddy Power
Limerick over 4.5 goals
1pt 8-1 Paddy Power