Sean Murphy / 31 July 2009 Free Bet View Market

Limerick v Meath:

Limerick meet Meath in the delayed round four qualifier on Saturday evening in Portlaoise for the right to meet Mayo next weekend. Limerick were most unlucky not to win their first Munster football final in over 100 years against Cork. They put on an impressive display in Cork with all their scores coming from play in that game. They have had to wait four weeks for this game and Meath have progressed nicely since their first round defeat to Dublin in the Leinster championship. These teams meet in the qualifiers for the second successive year. Limerick won an incredible encounter in the Gaelic Grounds last July by 4-12 to 4-3 with Ian Ryan scoring 3-7 in that match.
Limerick are hopeful that captain Sean Buckley will be fit in time to line out while Meath are likely to be without defender Kevin Reilly and Shane O'Rourke both of whom missed out on last week's defeat of Roscommon. If Limerick can reproduce their Munster final heroics then I fancy them to go through and meet Mayo in the quarter final.

Recommend: 2 Pts win Limerick @ [2.9]

Cork v Donegal:

Cork shot to the top of the All-Ireland betting after a superb performance against Kerry in the replayed Munster semi final last June. They will admit to being very fortunate to get over Limerick in the Munster final and there is no doubt that a certain complacency crept into the camp prior to that game. They should be more focused for this double header in Croke Park on Sunday and cannot afford to take Donegal for granted. Donegal were inept in their Ulster championship defeat to Antrim but have improved slowly through the qualifiers culminating in two major scalps in Derry and Galway. Cork possess a perfect record in All-Ireland quarter finals having won all five they have competed in since 2002, including one against Donegal in 2006 which they won by a point. Cork will be the fresher side but Donegal will have gained great confidence from their run through four rounds of the qualifiers. I think that Cork will have learned a lot from their close shave against Limerick and will not underestimate Donegal so easily. I fancy them to beat the handicap of 3 points.

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

Tyrone v Kildare:

The All-Ireland Champions Tyrone take on the beaten Leinster finalists Kildare in the second match at headquaters on Sunday. Tyrone cruised to the Ulster Championship in impressive fashion and are worthy favourites at 2.9 to retain their All-Ireland crown in September. They easily accounted for Antrim in the Ulster final and will be hot favourites to account for the Lilywhites. Kildare have been a revelation in this years championship and put in an impressive display in defeat to Dublin in the Leinster final. Kieran McGeeney has brought the best out of Kildare and they have forwards that will trouble the best of defences. Tyrone will have to plan without goalkeeper John Devine who dislocated his shoulder in training last Sunday. I expect Tyrone to win but will be backing Kildare on the handicap with a 4 point start.

Recommend: Handicap Bet 3Pts Kildare @ 5/6 + 4 points

Dublin v Kerry:

Without doubt the tie of the round on Monday sees these two great rivals go head to head in Croke Park. Dublin always attract a big support but any championship meeting with the Kingdom will ensure the house full signs for this mouth watering tie. Rumours of discontent in the Kerry camp abound but the prospect of meeting the Dubs will surely inspire the Kerry players and unite the squad. Dublin are in the unusual position of going into a championship game against Kerry as favourites, a tag that has never rested easily with them against the Kingdom in the last 30 years. It is 32 years since Dublin beat Kerry in the championship and the sides have met 8 times since then with Kerry winning seven and one finishing in a draw. Dublin have won the last five Leinster championship titles but would swap it all for just one All-Ireland. The last team Dublin would have wanted is Kerry and their record against them reflects this. Kerry will again be without their target man Kieran Donaghy, while Dublin have no injury worries. There is a real belief that Pat Gilroy can lead them to All-Ireland glory and the Kingdom will be a massive test for them.
I give a tentative vote to the Dubs.

Recommend: 2Pts Dublin @ [1.98]