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Let the games begin...

  • 24-05-2008 10:41am
    #1
    MrJoeSoap
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,117 ✭✭✭✭


    The Leinster Hurling Championship gets underway on Sunday in Portlaoise, with an Offaly-Laois and Dublin-Westmeath double header. Offaly and Dublin go into the games as massive favourites with the bookies, but I don't think the odds reflect much value whatsoever. I think at least one, if not both of the games, will be tighter affairs than the odds will have you believe. Still, I'll go with an Offaly/Dublin double.
    Offaly v Laois

    Portlaoise, 2.0

    Ref: J Ryan (Tipperary)

    *Live RTE 2

    Given what happened in the NHL -- these two got just three points between them -- it's fair to say the other game in Portlaoise could be more deserving of live television.

    But Offaly want to redeem themselves after a terrible League run under new boss Joe Dooley.

    Diarmuid Horan (Padraig's son) makes his championship debut in a relatively new-look side with Paul Cleary at full-forward, but they are boosted by Brendan Murphy's first outing of the season, which helps make up for the absence of Joe Bergin and Rory Hannify.

    The gods seem against Laois manager Damien Fox, who, after losing dual stars Darren Rooney and Cahir Healy to football and rejecting talented youngster Zane Keenan, lost key defender Matthew Whelan and two-time All Star nominee and team leader James Young to injury for the season.

    Last C'ship clash: 2007 Leinster Q/final: Offaly 1-26 Laois 0-10.

    Last six C'ship games: Offaly WLLLWL Laois LLLLLW.

    Ladbrokes betting:Offaly 1/12, Laois 13/2, Draw 8/1.

    Verdict: Offaly.
    Dublin v Westmeath

    Portlaoise, 3.50

    Ref: C McAllister (Cork)

    An intriguing history between these two and their respective progress over recent seasons makes this the plum tie in Portlaoise.

    Westmeath famously beat Dublin in that 'splash of the ash' two seasons ago but Dublin had the last laugh as they consigned them to Christy Ring level in a play-off that summer.

    Managed by the legendary Johnny Dooley the Lakesiders bounced back, winning that 'B' title last year and Division 2 this season.

    Portumna's Leo Smyth makes his Leinster championship debut for them and Andrew Mitchell is recalled for injured captain Brendan Murtagh, a massive loss but noticeably listed in their subs.

    But Tommy Naughton's Dubs should be too strong, having retained their Division 1 place and with so much underage success.

    Alan McCrabbe and Philly Brennan are big losses but Dotsy O'Callaghan's return has been a big boost. Niall Corcoran, at corner-back, is a former All-Ireland minor winner with Galway and their other corner-back, debutant Justin Burke, hails from Waterford but Dublin, no longer depending on 'imports', are brimful of home-grown talent, have the likes of Ross O'Carroll on the bench and are itching for another pop at Wexford after last year's one-point defeat.

    Last C'ship clash: 2006 Championship relegation playoff Dublin 0-16 Westmeath 0-8.

    Last six C'ship games: Dublin LLLLWL Westmeath LLLLLW.

    Ladbrokes betting: Dublin 1/12, Westmeath 13/2, Draw 18/1.

    Verdict: Dublin.


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