Blog_Shane_Dowling

GAA SHC Predictions & Betting Tips | Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th April

GAA Hurling ambassador Shane Dowling gives his predictions, betting tips and expert opinion ahead of the weekend SHC action.

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Limerick v Waterford – 23rd April

Shane Dowling believes Waterford must prove their All-Ireland credentials by beating Limerick this weekend. Check out the video below.

The National League champions needed a strong finish to defeat Tipperary 2-24 to 2-20 in their Munster opener, while Limerick also got off to a winning start at the expense of Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“They are the two teams who have been earmarked for the Liam MacCarthy Cup and that’s how it’s shaping up even at this early stage,” Dowling told BoyleSports.

“Waterford have been beaten in a Munster Final, an All-Ireland semi-final and an All-Ireland final by Limerick in recent years. But Liam Cahill has always had some sort of excuse for that, mainly injuries as he’s had a couple of unfortunate years in that respect. But now they have no excuses, they have a really strong panel, so if ever there was a time for Waterford to get the better of Limerick, their time is now”

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“There is a lot of talk that either team would have to beat the other three times to win an All-Ireland; on Saturday night, a potential Munster final and in the All-Ireland series as well. I don’t think either manager would restrict some game plans or players because of that, but it will definitely be in the back of their minds.

“Austin Gleeson was having a cracking game before he was sent off in the league semi-final, he didn’t even start last weekend, but I think he’ll start this time and he’ll have the bit between his teeth, so I certainly think Waterford will be within four points of Limerick at 10/11. They have a lot of goals in them this year.”

Wexford v Dublin – 24th April

He said: It’s hard to know what way this one will go. Were Dublin poor against Laois I don’t know and maybe that is doing an injustice to Laois. You would have expected Dublin to put them away quite easily and in the last couple of years where Dublin haven’t done that they have failed to push on.”

“Dublin were flying early in the league but they got disappointing towards to the end of it. Any team that has an ambition of winning the Leinster title or the All-Ireland should be putting the teams below them away and Dublin haven’t been doing that.”

“I was very disappointed with Wexford’s performance in the first half against Galway. In saying that they showed character, grit and determination to get a result out of it. It’s still hard to know where these teams are at. Both teams started very well in the league but then were somewhat disappointing after that and this match is a toss of a coin for me.”

Yellowbellies have the edge

“Wexford Park is not a nice place to go and play in terms of the strong breeze and the conditions are always tough. It has the makings of a great game but it’s hard to know how it’s going to turn out and I would think that Wexford at home would give them the edge.

“Dublin are coming into this off the back of a poor performance so they are going to be very focused on what they want but I think Wexford for the win. I think they will cover the handicap of -2 at 10/11 as well.”

Tipperary v Clare – 24th April

He said: “Tipperary were very impressive against Waterford last week. At the start of the game Waterford were 0-4 to nil up but I didn’t think that was a fair reflection on how the game was going and the next ten minutes told that then when Tipperary came back into it.

“They were very good, but I did think Waterford would win somewhat easy enough. I was wrong and I’m glad I was wrong as the Munster Championship needs a strong Tipperary team.”

“Tipperary have a lot of new players this year so they should take huge confidence from their performance ahead of their game this Sunday against Clare. Both teams know this is a huge game as they both still have to play Limerick so two points is essential for both teams this weekend.”

“I was very impressed with Mark Kehoe last weekend, and he was up against Conor Prunty who is a fair full-back in my opinion and he was up there for Man of the Match until the last few minutes.”

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“Dan McCormack came on and done very well too but John McGrath didn’t come on until the last few minutes so it will be interesting to see when the key players are brought on. These guys have been around a long time and they might be held in reserve so we will have to wait and see do they start as perhaps if they did start against Waterford, we would have seen a different result.”

“I think Tipperary are worthy favourites but if we rewind to last year’s Championship Clare had Tipperary on the racks and on top of that this is another year under Brian Lohan. Tipperary have a new team with a new manager so if anything, you would think that Clare should be further ahead.

“The fact Tipperary have an extra game played benefits them, but the fact Clare should be another year ahead of Tipperary in terms of progression kind of balances things so I think this game will go right down to the wire and the draw at 9/1 looks value.”

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More about the author:

Shane Dowling is a hurler for club side Na Piarsaigh and previously played at inter-county level for the Limerick senior hurling team.

In 2016 he won a Senior Club Hurling Championship with Na Piarsaigh. He won four Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship titles as well as five Limerick Senior Hurling Championships.

He also won a prestigious All-Star award in 2014.

In July 2020 Dowling sadly announced his retirement from inter-county hurling due to knee issues aged 27.

He currently appears on RTE and other media outlets as a hurling pundit.




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