Sean Murphy / 30 May 2009 Free Bet

Before the preview of this weekend games I would recommend the following two wagers on this years Liam McCarthy Cup.

* 3 Pts Tipperary @ 5/1 each way for All Ireland.
* 2 Pts Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) to be Top overall Scorer in the Championship @ 10/1.

Munster Championship

Tipperary v Cork: The Munster hurling Championship starts this Sunday in Thurles with a much anticipated meeting between the kingpins of Munster hurling over the last 125 years. Cork after their much publicised strike go into the game as 15/8 outsiders with Tipperary hot favourites after a narrow defeat to Kilkenny in the National league final.
Tipperary are aiming to win their first back to back Munster title since 1989 and with Cork having such an interrupted preparation they are worthy favourites. Cork have put in a big effort in the last two months with impressive challenge game wins against Limerick, Dublin and Wexford but these games would not have the same intensity of a Munster Championship match and only time will tell if they are up to the challenge. Tipperary on the other hand continued their impressive 2008 form into this year and are seen as the main challengers to Kilkenny to win the Liam McCarthy cup in September. The return of Eoin Kelly to their forward line is a huge boost and I take Tipp to win with a little to spare.

Recommend: Handicap Bet: 4pts @ 5/6 Tipperary -2 Points

Leinster Championship

Wexford v Offaly: Wexford host Offaly at Wexford Park on Saturday evening to start this unique Leinster Championship. The addition of Antrim and Galway to the provincial draw gives a much needed boost to the Leinster championship which has been monopolised by Kilkenny in recent years. Wexford had a big win over Offaly when these sides met at Wexford Park in the league but the faithful county reversed this result in the league final earlier this month. As a result of this win the Offaly manager, Joe Dooley has given a vote of confidence to the team that won the Division 2 final by naming an unchanged side from that game. Wexford have a number of injury concerns and will have been wounded by that league final defeat just three weeks ago. I take Wexford to bounce back from this defeat and make the draw for the Leinster semi final this Sunday evening.

Recommend: 4Pts @ evens Wexford to win

Galway v Laois: Galway make a low key debut in the Leinster championship at Portlaoise on Sunday. While there has been some opposition within the county to this move I believe that it is a positive development and can only benefit the game within the county. Galway had a disastrous 10 years in the Munster Championship from 1959 to 1969 winning just one game in that time. However, Galway hurling is a lot stronger now and this move gets them playing championship hurling in May and also gives them the comfort of the qualifiers if they are defeated in Leinster. Defeat is most unlikely this weekend and Galway are 1/100 to progress to the semi finals. They are unlikely to learn a lot against a Laois side that seems to be in terminal decline. Another poor league campaign for the Laois men has done little for their confidence against a Galway side backboned by the all conquering Portumna club side. They have arguably the best hurler in Ireland, Joe Canning, at full forward and along with club colleague, Damien Hayes they can put up a big score against a side they have easily beaten in each of the last four championships. Hard to have a bet in this game as Laois have been given a 19 point start and this looks like the more sensible option for small money.

Recommend: 1pt @ 10/11 Laois 19 points.