Punters’ Pointers ... sports betting tips for the weekend

 

KEVIN EGAN picks out some betting tips from this weekend's action in the Offaly SHC.

The club action is certainly coming thick and fast in Offaly at the moment and so far results have been kind to followers of this column, with substantial profits coming our way. This week we have good recent form to go on, so it would be a huge disappointment if we didn’t keep the graph moving in the right direction and on paper, tonight’s game between Drumcullen and Brosna Gaels certainly ticks all the relevant boxes for a good hefty punt.

Since winning the intermediate championship in 2011, Brosna Gaels have lost over half their team that started that final and arguably they have suffered more on account of emigration than any other club in Offaly.

Several fine hurlers from the club are no longer on this island and some very poor results against Seir Kieran and Tullamore already have left the club in big trouble. It’s almost impossible to see them taking anything from their games against Birr and Kilcormac-Killoughey, so if they are to have anything tangible to hold on to in advance of the relegation series – which they will certainly contest -  then they need to pick up both points against Drumcullen tonight (Friday). Paddy Power suspect they should do just that, based on the odds of 4/5 that are on offer.

Suffice it to say we don’t agree here in the Offaly Independent think tank. Drumcullen hurled quite well for long stretches against Kilcormac-Killoughey in their last outing and they were particularly effective around the middle third of the field. Admittedly K-K’s shooting on the night (20 wides) ensured that there wasn’t as big a winning margin as there could have been, but there still was a lot more to like about Drumcullen’s effort against elite opposition than there was about the Gaels’ poor showing against Tullamore.

Paddy Power started the week at 6/4 Drumcullen and those odds have been backed into 11/10 at the time of writing – assuming that even money or better is still available, that’s an absolute lock this week and should be punted heavily.

Shinrone at 8/15 will probably be popular as well for their game against Kinnitty, but we’d be inclined to steer clear of this one. Historically Kinnitty have hurled very well against Shinrone and there will be a bit of nervousness in the air around Shinrone now, with no points on the board after two rounds. The glory of winning the under-21 championship will feel like a distant memory if the club gets drawn into a relegation dogfight.

Equally Belmont will be well punted at 3/10 against Lusmagh, but the 5/2 about Lusmagh would make far more appeal to us. Lusmagh hurled very well for long stretches against St Rynagh’s while Belmont needed a late flourish from Colin Egan to salvage a victory against Kinnitty. Belmont are worthy favourites here but 7/4 or 2/1 would be much more accurate than 5/2 and we should bet accordingly. 

The story of the championship so far has been the excellent hurling from Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey, with both clubs brushing off all challengers with little or no fuss. This week it’s St Rynagh’s and Seir Kieran who have to stop the recent and reigning Leinster champions and neither side look sufficiently well equipped to do so.

The likely absence of Tom Carroll and Stephen Quirke will hurt the two underdogs and for a treble bet this week, both Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey are well worthy of inclusion.

 

TOP TIPS

*Drumcullen to beat Brosna Gaels (11/10).

*Drumcullen, Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey all to win (13/5).

*Lusmagh to beat Belmont (5/2).