Con O'Meara / 04 July 2009 Free Bet

4th of July: Expect Fireworks in Clones

Monaghan vs Armagh
Saturday 4th July, Clones, 7pm.
Live on RTE2.

While most of Saturdays Qualifier match-ups are about as appealing as a threesome with Marilyn Manson and Amy Winehouse, the all-Ulster Clones clash should be compelling.
Brolly and Spillane may be doing their Statler and Waldorf (remember the two guys from the balcony in the Muppet Show?) routine giving out about negative tactics etc., but thirty hardened Ulster men will do battle on Clones for the right to stay in the All-Ireland Championship. And let Spillane moan about wides kicked from 35 yards out; he was a super player but he played in an era where tight marking was the red line that the O'Neills short shorts left around the top of your arse after 70 minutes. Its faster and tougher than twenty years ago, so just analyse and stop whining.

Saturday evening's game is what Championship is all about: do or die. And let the hits be ferocious. Lets be honest, for the average viewer watching Formula One on TV we want a spectacular crash...if theres a bust up in Clones well complain after, but love it during. And both sides will be commited and at times over-commited. Banty McEneaney is coming under a little pressure following the Derry display, and Tommy Freemans suspension will not help that pressure to ease. Monaghan [2.5] could do with having their top-scorer. There is something about the Monaghan psyche, thickness I think is the medical term, that thrives on adversity though. Expect them to come out like the Gladiators of Ancient Rome ready for a colossal battle. The men of the stony grey soil are nothing if not abrasive.

In players like Dick Clerkin and Rory Woods they have men who love a battle. The Derry bout showed them struggle for scores though, and Freemans absence places a major strain on Paul Finlay. They only managed ten points against Derry, with Freeman providing three of those scores. The return to a starting spot for Ciaran Hanratty can help up front, and dont be surprised if Vinnie Corey is moved up to full-forward, especially if Monaghan are chasing the game.

Armagh [1.91] were outclassed by Tyrone, but given the quality of the players they've lost this season, thats hardly surprising. What was still evident is the Orchard mens never-say-die attitude that saw them come back from eight down to get it back to two before Tyrone summoned the strength to see them over the line by three.
The two inside men, Ronan Clarke and Stevie McDonnell can still walk the walk, and the Orchards policy of finding them with cross-field balls may be well-known, but that doesnt make it any easier to deal with. The return of Charlie Vernon to fitness is a big boost for Armagh. In the likelihood that hes called into action from the bench, his strength and athleticism can help push the Orchard over the line. Back Armagh to progress.

***

Rebels should justify favourites tag

Munster SFC Final
Cork vs Limerick
Sunday 5th July, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 2pm
Live on TV3

Cork, our All-Ireland tip at [10.5] back in May, are currently at [4.8] to grab Sam's lugs. [4.8] is a much better price than the 10-3 (best price) on offer in the betting shops. If they play against Limerick as they have all through the league and Munster Championship, finding that price will be harder than Silvio B at a house party. The Rebels two performances against Kerry showed they are real contenders. Their midfield diamond of Graham Canty, Nicholas Murphy, Alan O'Connor and Pearse O'Neill are immense in size and athleticism, and the biggest problem for Corks opponents this year is how to secure enough possession.

Limerick will be one of the sides best-equipped to compete in the middle. They have a superb midfielder in veteran John Galvin, who will be contesting his fourth Munster final. Beside him is Jim ODonovan, another giant of a man. They were the platform for Limerick's two-point victory over Division Three champions Tipp. Last year Cork did a Dick Turpin job on the Shannonsiders with two late goals. In players like Stephen Lucey and Ian Ryan Limerick possess quality footballers, but Cork are unlikely to be caught on the hop. Conor Counihan will ensure theres no complacency, as will their experienced leaders like Anthony Lynch and Canty. They seem better organised this year, and will be keen to build on the improvement evident in their defeat of the Kingdom.

The danger for Cork is their tendency to play in snatches. Their top scorer, Donncha OConnor, has notched 1-8 from three games. Thats fairly low for your top marksman, but the Rebels usually have a large spread of scorers; Pearse ONeill, James Masters and Daniel Goulding can all contribute. Their teamwork and constant running is difficult to combat and they will look to run all over Limerick on Sunday. If they play up to form, Mickey Neds men could be left in a bigger spin than he was by Sean Dohertys elbow in 1975.

Recommendations:

4 pts Armagh 1.91
1 pt Cork by 6-10 points 3.0