There may be six teams still in the running to succeed Monaleen as Limerick senior football champions, but as far as Paddy Power bookmakers are concerned, there are three front runners worthy of meaningful consideration, while the other three are nothing more than rank outsiders.
Group Two winners Fr Caseys recorded another good victory at the weekend but their price of 5/6 is incredibly short when we allow for the fact that they will probably have to beat Drom Broadford (3/1) just to reach the final. In contrast Newcastlewest are 11/4 to lift the title even though they’ll be strongly fancied to beat the winners of St Kierans (11/1) and Ballysteen (14/1) in the semi final round. If the semi-finals were open draw then this price would be fair enough, but that’s a huge price about NCW winning just one tough game.
That’s not meant to be too critical of St Kierans and Ballysteen, but not even the most ardent supporter of either of those sides would argue that they are entitled to be viewed in the same light as the big three. Ballysteen won one game out of the five that they played and that was by the narrowest of margins, yet they somehow made their way into the quarter finals. It’s amazing to think that if any one out of Ballylanders, Monaleen or St Senans scored one extra point against Ballysteen, then they would have gone through instead. Ballysteen have great battling instinct but they are out of their depth now when they have to face up against the big guns.
St Kierans will be fancied to advance this weekend and Paddy Powers make them 8/11 to do so, and while they get the narrowest of votes from this column, we wouldn’t be advising a huge bet. Kierans have looked good at times this year but they did get the benefit of the much softer group and it remains to be seen how they handle the tougher challenges ahead.
If Kierans are doubled with Drom-Broadford to beat Galbally, the payout with Powers will be roughly 5/4 and we’d definitely suggest including the Group 1 runners-up in any wagers you choose to make. Galbally secured their spot the playoffs with a late run of three victories but they were very fortunate to face St Patricks on a week when the City club had nothing to play for, so not too much should be read into their big win last weekend. They were way off the pace when playing Fr Caseys in the early rounds and that’s the standard they must be able to match and better this week – we don’t expect them to be able to do so. Drom Broadford are worthy bankers this week and it will be a huge shock if they don’t prevail.
