THE Hyundai Limerick Motor Centre sponsored Senior hurling championship comes down to the final four this weekend. Adare face Doon at 2pm, while champions Kilmallock face Na Piarsaigh at 3.30pm. Both games are to be played as part of a double header on Sunday 15 at the Gaelic Grounds.
Adare’s scintillating second half performance against Ballybrown in the quarter-finals has seen them installed as 1/2 favourites against Doon for the first leg of Sunday’s double header, while it’s 15/8 Doon and 9/1 the draw with Paddy Power this week.
There is very little in the betting for the second game, the high powered clash of champions Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh. Powers make Kilmallock the narrow favourites at 5/6, but it’s difficult to make a confident prediction in the absence of definitive information regarding the fitness of Graeme Mulcahy.
The intercounty forward is critical to the champions’ hopes and it’s hard to know how they would cope in his absence.
Frankly, it’s hard to tell much about them generally. They’ve recorded four big victories over some below average opposition this year, while Na Piarsaigh had the benefit of tough battles with Doon and Patrickswell. That may be the difference in the end for the pale blues.
Paddy Power’s is also offering a hotshot double this week, going 4/1 (enhanced from 3/1) about Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling both scoring goals at any stage.
For those not convinced by the 15/8 about Doon – or indeed for Adare supporters who would prefer a more patriotic bet – that could be a good alternative home for some of the profits from last weekend!
Best of luck to all four sides.
by Kevin Egan of Paddy Power
