Con O'Meara / 07 March 2009 Free Bet

Division 1

After the fireworks that followed the Dublin-Tyrone Croker cracker and Ryan Mcmenamin's Crocodile Dundee-like testing of Paul Galvin, there are some fascinating jewels, ah sorry..duels, on offer this weekend too.

Jack O'Connor's side look to be taking the league seriously, and the memories of last season's final collapse to the Oakleafers could well spur Kerry on to take the spoils at an attractive [1.9]. The Kerry ego has been shaken by Ulster sides in the recent past, and while they may be resting young guns like David Moran and Tommy Walsh for U21 duty, with the Gooch sneaking goals they can take the points.

Dublin's defensive frailties were cruelly exposed against Galway; the question is whether Donegal [2.0] have the requisite quality to capitalise. John Joe Doherty has five enforced changes, most notably Neil Gallagher and Barry Monaghan. Dublin [1.9] would appear to have the stronger side on paper but on the Ballyshannon grass, Donegal may just swing it.

Tyrone and Galway usually offer a high-scoring, free-flowing game. The return of the BBC (Big Barry Cullinane) to the Tribesmen's midfield, allied to Stephen O'Neill's and McMenamin's absence, may swing the balance in the outsider's favour. Galway enjoy playing footballing sides and with Michael Meehan in flying form and players like Sean Armstrong and Gareth Bradshaw settling in, they may be worth a go at [2.86].

In the remaining fixture Mayo are deserving favourites, more because of Westmeath's injury problems than anything O'Mahony's side have done. Mayo's recovery from a seemingly hopeless position (nine points down) against Donegal suggests they may be about to up it a bit. While both sides have injury concerns, Mayo look better equipped to cope. Dessie Dolan's absence, combined with Westmeath's midfield problems, can't inspire Lakeside confidence. It won't be high scoring, but a good whack on Mayo at [1.5] may provide some Cheltenham money.

Division 2

Armagh's loss to Laois was one of the shocks of round two and the Orchard will have to be in better fettle to account for a Monaghan side that look focussed on the League. Again there's value in the outsiders at [2.5]. With Tommy Freeman scoring well and the Cross contingent still missing for the Orchard, the Farney men can take their Ulster opponents at an attractive [2.4].

Our pre-league tip for Division 2, Cork, should account for Fermanagh at home, and our saver bet for the divison, Kildare, can take the points from Wexford in their Newbridge fortress. Cork look like a side determined to build on their promise of last year while McGeeney's Kildare look like a solid bet at [1.42] to prolong Wexford's hangover.

Meath and Laois both fall into the unpredictable category, and while the gut feeling is that Sean Dempsey's Laois can build on their superb result against Armagh, it's not one I'd get stuck into.

Division 3

Our recommendations for this division (Down recommended at [3.5] and Louth at [9.0]) can both win this weekend. Down are short and don't make much appeal at [1.25] to inflict a third successive defeat on Cavan, but Louth can get back to winning ways at an attractive [1.9] against an Offaly side in turmoil. That tie is in Tullamore, but Louth's scoring prowess should see them through.

Roscommon [1.4] can get back on track against neighbours Longford, while Tipp at [3.4] may interest value punters to take Limerick. The Treaty side are rightly [1.3] favourites to win at home but following their win against Cavan in Breffni Park, Tipp may work another shock.

Division 4

Leitrim [2.1] host Antrim in this division's tie of the round. Antrim have two classy young corner forwards in Paddy Cunningham and CJ McGourty, and will travel in confidence to a Mickey Moran-managed side that were trounced by Sligo and didn't convince against Carlow. Leitrim at home will be no pushover with Maxwell and Mulligan providing their quality, but if Antrim [1.9] travel well (a nice quality bus with Superbad on the DVD player should suffice) they should make like McLovin and keep the dream alive.

Sligo are unlikely to get sucker-punched in London, and Wicklow could beat Kilkenny with their Ladies' side out. Clare and Waterford is not as straightforward, and while the Banner are favourites, Waterford at [3.5] look a price. Clare just about struggled past Carlow before losing to Sligo and Leitrim, while Waterford managed a draw away to Wicklow. That form alone gives them a squeak.

Best Bets:

10 points on Cork to beat Fermanagh @ 1.3
6 points on Mayo to beat Westmeath @ 1.5
4 points on Louth to beat Offaly @ 1.9
2 points on Kerry to beat Derry @ 1.86
1 point on Galway to beat Tyrone @ 2.86