Sean Murphy / 07 August 2009 Free Bet View Market

Mayo v Meath:

A repeat of the controversial 1996 All Ireland football final sees Mayo and Meath clash for the right to play Kerry in the All Ireland semi final on 30th August. Mayo were most impressive in securing the Connacht championship against old rivals Galway in Salthill last month. That win followed a demolition of Roscommon in the Connacht semi final in which Mayo ran up a very credible 3-18. There is a belief in Mayo that this team has matured over the last three years and are fully equipped to go all the way and end the fifty seven year wait for Sam Maguire.
Meath have come through the qualifier route with wins over Westmeath, Roscommon and Limerick last weekend. While the opposition was not the strongest winning breeds confidence and Meath will have the benefit of regular championship football over the last month. Mayo have good forwards such as Trevor Mortimor and Barry Moran at full forward and I cannot see Meath coping with them over the seventy minutes. Take Mayo to beat the handicap.

Recommend: Handicap Bet 3 Pts win Mayo @ 10/11 -2 points.

Waterford v Kilkenny:

A repeat of last year's All Ireland final in which Kilkenny gave arguably one of the greatest team performances ever seen in Croke Park. Waterford were hammered by 23 points in a one sided final and will be desperate to avenge that defeat. Kilkenny are going for a remarkable four in a row and seem to get better each year. They got a searching test from a good Galway side in the Leinster semi final and were never out of third gear in beating Dublin comfortably in the Leinster final.
Waterford were well beaten by Tipperary in the Munster final and made a great recovery in the last 10 minutes to pip Galway in the All Ireland quarter final. John Mullane is a prime candidate for hurler of the year and has been in tremendous form for the Deise. No team deserves to win an All Ireland more than this Waterford side most of whom have been together for the last 10 years. The big question going into this match is whether they have got over the scars of last September and how will they cope if Kilkenny get off to a fast start. Brian Coady will expect a tougher test this time from Waterford but I cannot see them being able to handle this Kilkenny machine. Take Kilkenny to beat the handicap.

Recommend: Handicap Bet 3 Pts Kilkenny @ 10/11 - 8 points.