Pete’s Picks – Sunday’s Live GAA Analysis & Tips

The money has been flooding in all week in support of a Kerry victory in the Munster SFC final.

The defending provincial and All-Ireland champions were shortened by BoyleSports to 2/5 in the match betting while punters also snapped up prices close to evens about the Kingdom defeating Cork by three points or more.

In fact, the main handicap betting line has been, indeed, pushed out to three points now with Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s side 21/20, Cork evens +3 and the handicap betting draw 17/2.

The Rebels, in contrast, opened up as a price in the region of 9/4 but now BoyleSports are laying a dismissive 11/4.

It’s funny, this time last year Cork were punted into 8/13 before the throw-in in Páirc Uí Chaoimh from initial odds of even-money.

Presently, though, Brian Cuthbert’s men, 11-point victors when the counties met in the league, are given only a minor chance of prevailing in Fitzgerald Stadium for the first time since 1995.

You can see Kerry, given the raft of attacking talent named among their substitutes’ bench, probably getting over the line but maybe not be the sizeable margin people are predicting.

Additionally, I remain unconvinced that the teams selected will actually be in situ by the time the referee Padraig Hughes gets proceedings underway.

There could be one or two changes and if Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper is a late addition to Kerry’s starting line-up he should be backed to be RTÉ Man of the Match.

Word is Barry John Keane is on fire in training and is a 12/1 chance in the same market.

However, Kieran Donaghy represents solid value at 8/1 to lead Kerry’s attacking assault and could be a match-winner at full-forward.

Pete’s Picks:
Kieran Donaghy RTÉ Man of the Match @ 8/1.

Kilkenny v Galway, Hurling, RTÉ, 4pm

Galway have troubled Kilkenny in recent years and are likely to also trouble them for spells in Croke Park in the Leinster SHC final.

However, the Cats were ruthlessly efficient against Wexford and even though tackling the Tribesmen is a different kettle of fish, you would still have to feel that Brian Cody’s men will come up with the goods to capture the provincial title once more.

Kilkenny, though, should be backed in the alternative handicap -2 at 8/13 with BoyleSports rather than supporting them to beat the main line of four points at evens.

Galway seem to be operating at a higher level thus far in the Leinster landscape this summer but the only team I would not back Kilkenny against in the Championship is Tipperary, and even at that such a contest would essentially be an even-money your choice encounter.

TJ Reid was backed by this column to be RTÉ Man of the Match against Wexford but is worth punting on again at 7/1, so too Colin Fennelly at 14/1.

Pete’s Picks:
Kilkenny -2 @ 8/13
TJ Reid RTÉ Man of the Match @ 7/1