Kildare kids to lead the way
It’s fair to say that the vast majority of the 80,000 plus who attend the Leinster Final tomorrow will be doing so to keep an eye on John Doyle, Alan Brogan and all the other star names on show, but they would do well to make sure to be in their seats in time for the minor match throw in, since it’s shaping up to be an excellent fixture as well.
At this stage there is little or no value to be had in betting on the senior match, however the same cannot be said of the minor game. Kildare at 15/8 are a huge price for this fixture and are well worth a 4pt bet at the very least. To be honest they would probably be worth even more, but for the fact that minor footballers are teenagers after all, and are thus very prone to having complete off days.
On the face of it, it’s hard to see what the oddsmakers were thinking in making these particular prices – this is an even game at best, while if forced to pick one side or another, this writer would side with Kildare as the marginally more likely winners.
Kildare’s potential this year was flagged up during the winter while St. Mary’s of Edenderry were making their run to the All Ireland colleges final. The Offaly school was well served by players from both sides of the border and arguably Kildare players were the more eye catching, led by star man Paul Cribben. Both Kildare and Dublin started their Leinster championship runs with big wins, but Dublin’s form since then has middling enough, while Kildare have been a lot more consistent. There were fortunate enough to escape from Navan with a win, but Meath were very much part of a “top three” in Leinster minor football this year and the form of that result is considerably more impressive than Dublin’s extra time win in Tullamore.
The final score from Tullamore suggested that Dublin were dominant, but they simply outlasted an Offaly team that expended a lot of energy in reeling in an early six point deficit. Dublin looked very vulnerable in that time and if Offaly were able to enjoy a steady flow of possession, it bodes well for the Kildare midfield who would have a lot more to offer.
Dublin have several fine prospects with plenty to offer in the future, but that still doesn’t justify such clear favouritism. The senior final will be a highly watchable encounter too, but for betting purposes, the early birds will definitely be getting the worm tomorrow.
Categories: Gaelic Football
Related Posts:
Comments (0)