Coolderry are capable of upsetting the odds once again

An early sign of Oulart the Ballagh's discomfort at their position as favourites to win the Leinster Club hurling championship was evident last week when their management discussed with a local newspaper the injury issues within the club's senior panel. The article ostensibly talked about the injury concerns surrounding Stephen Doyle, Paul Roche and Nicky Kirwan, but it could also be translated as follows.  "We are hugely uncomfortable with being favourites for this game. We would prefer if the topic of discussion was a huge injury crisis that is affecting the club, ideally leading to national journalists tipping up Coolderry in the Sunday papers and our fans getting a big boost when all the injuries miraculously heal up on the day and all the lads start the match, wearing 28, 29 and 31 respectively." The reason this is so obviously what's going on here is because if these key players were actually carrying any injuries, the last thing the manager would want to do is to broadcast the fact. Hamstring injury for key player? Watch as his opponent tries to force him to turn quickly as often as possible in the first five minutes. Shoulder injury? Expect a heavy challenge as the first ball is contested. Wrist injury? Clash of the ash is imminent ... Oulart the Ballagh should by now be used to being favoured to win games. They've dominated the Wexford scene for the past few years and have been competitive in Leinster on each occasion. They've got a squad full of inter-county players and in Keith Rossiter, they have a leader that could double up as an action hero in Lord of the Rings movies, such are his feats of heroism on the field. Nonetheless, they face a real test this Sunday in Nowlan Parkn (throw-in 2pm) and this kind of game playing suggests that they aren't quite in the right place mentally for this battle. You can't blame them for believing that the hard work is done after beating James Stephens, but that attitude could see them caught on the hop against Coolderry, who are notorious for making fast starts. Take Coolderry to win at 6/4 with Paddy Power and have a saver on the double result bet of 4/1 about a Coolderry half-time lead and Oulart winning the match.    Powers are also 11/2 about Damien Murray for the first goal in this game, and that too makes plenty of appeal. Powers go 4/6 about a win for Na Piarsaigh in the Munster decider live on TG4, while they are 6/4 that Crusheen bring the championship trophy back to Clare for the first time in eleven years. With both sides showing plenty of scoring form, it's hard to make a strong case for either team as the more likely winner. Indeed with both sides capable of getting in for goals, the smart play here could be staying away from the match betting entirely and backing over 2.5 goals at 5/6. Those looking for a higher potential pay-out could alternatively look at over 3.5 goals, priced at 5/2. Normally high scoring bets are not advisable in winter hurling matches but the drier weather recently has kept pitches in good shape and the open space of Semple stadium always gives forwards chances to do damage. The Na Piarsaigh inside line is particularly potent and while full-forward Kevin Downes was the headline grabber against Ballygunner, Shane Dowling is the 11/2 second favourite and he could be the more likely threat when matched up against John Brigdale. Crusheen full-back Cronan Dillon will relish the physical battle with Downes and is unlikely to take a backwards step against the young attacker, but Brigdale against Dowling looks like a much better option for deliveries from the Na Piarsaigh half-backs and midfielders, and a much better option for our bets at Powers' odds of 11/2 to raise the first green flag. TOP TIPS *Coolderry to beat Oulart the Ballagh (6/4). *Coolderry HT/Oulart FT double result (4/1). *Damien Murray (Coolderry) to score the first goal (11/2). *Over 2.5 goals in the Munster club hurling final (5/6). *Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh) to score the first goal (11/2).