The GAAmbler: Big weekend for the big boys

January 16, 2016

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.
©INPHO/Presseye/Tony Hendron.

So as we enter the third weekend of GAA action in 2016 it has come to my attention that some things never really change in provincial pre-season tournaments.

Tyrone are still invincible in the McKenna Cup, Dublin having recovered from a stuttering start are starting to find their feet and the university sides are for the most part seriously unpredictable.

The remaining teams will now be hoping to continue to pick up much sought after momentum, as well as beginning their quest in finding a settled team before the beginning of the league.

One such team that are looking to continue their momentum and have named an extremely strong team is Derry. They are available at even money with Ladbrokes which is highly appealing.

Players such as Mark Lynch, James Kielt, Enda Lynn, Cailean O'Boyle and Benny Heron are all fantastic footballers who all have the ability to score heavily in every game.

Derry have had a very positive campaign to date and should have probably beat Tyrone. They are coming up against a Cavan side that is also riding the crest of a wave, having secured three wins from three they also look to be building nicely.

It is my feeling that Cavan may experiment and line out with a slightly less experienced and match-fit side than Derry's, as players like Eugene Keating, David Givney and Cian Mackey need game time before the league.

This should be a tough encounter between two teams that look to have big ambitions this year, but the massive amount of forward fire power Derry have named on their team sheet is very impressive and it should see them through to the McKenna cup final.

A team that will in my opinion certainly be joining them in the final is Tyrone. They are 1/3 with Paddy Power to beat Fermanagh and although I think Fermanagh will press them for 50 minutes, Tyrone will probably make the now traditional second half subs, which over the last few years has seen them home safely on countless occasions.

I struggle to remember the last time Fermanagh has beat Tyrone and I can't see it happening on Sunday.

I would also advice that punters should keep an eye on the in-play prices during this game, and if Fermanagh were to take a few points lead I would advise a bet on Tyrone to overturn the deficit. I have chosen to place Tyrone in a 5/4 accumulator with Galway 1/7, Kerry 1/5 and Dublin 2/9. The four teams are best priced with Paddy Power.

My last selection this weekend concerns the Dubs, having drawn with Wexford on their first day out two weeks ago, they have since managed to score two victories and they seem to be improving with every performance.

They are strong favourites to beat Longford and are quite generously best price at 2/7 with Betway (2/9 bar). It has been well documented that before their first match against Wexford, the Dubs had only conducted one training session. The past two weeks has given the panel a chance to get back into the swing of things, and given some of the talent that was on the team sheet last day out against DCU they should start producing more efficient displays.

I fully expect Dublin to beat Longford handsomely and I am quite confident that they will beat the handicap.

At the time of writing a handicap for the game has yet to be priced up, but keep an eye out for it as it will definitely appear either tomorrow (Saturday) or early Sunday morning.

Recommended Bets:

  • Derry (1/1) to beat Cavan (NAP) Ladbrokes
  • Tyrone (1/3), Galway (1/7), Kerry (1/5) and Dublin (2/9) accumulator best priced with Paddy Power 
  • Dublin to beat the handicap against Longford. Market yet to be priced up

For more Analysis and tips follow @TheGAAmbler1 on twitter


Most Read Stories