Blog_Diarmuid_Connolly

GAA Senior Football Championship Outright Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds

GAA Football ambassador Diarmuid Connolly gives his expert opinion on the upcoming GAA Senior Football Championship with betting tips, predictions & odds.

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All-Ireland SFC

Diarmuid Connolly says Kerry and Mayo will be the main players in the race to be crowned All-Ireland champions this year after ruling out a championship revival for Dublin.

Dessie Farrell’s side were relegated from the top division of the National League and former player Connolly believes they don’t have the squad to compete at the business end of this year’s championship, although he warned league winners Kerry they will have stiff competition from Mayo despite their comprehensive 15-point victory at Croke Park.

“Unless something drastically changes in the Dublin camp, I can’t see them winning the Championship this year,” Connolly told BoyleSports. “They have a great starting fifteen if Con O’Callaghan comes back and he’s fit, but I don’t see the bench as strong as some of the other teams.

“Kerry meanwhile have a massive squad and their strength in depth is frightening. They were far superior to Mayo in the league final and it was a huge statement, because they will probably be their main rivals later in the summer.

“Sean O’Shea wasn’t even there and David Clifford was unplayable – he ran that Mayo defence ragged. It’s their era, but they have no All-Ireland medals to show for it. They’re a magical team when they’re playing well, but it’s all about getting over the line.

“The problem is they’re probably not going to get a competitive game until an All-Ireland quarter-final as Munster looks very weak this year.

“For Mayo, they will have plenty of competition in Connacht and we know what they’re like when they build a bit of momentum. It’s never easy to get beaten that badly, but I always say you learn much more from your defeats than you do from your victories.”

Leinster SFC

Connolly said the Leinster Championship is no foregone conclusion for Dublin after Dessie Farrell’s side were relegated from the top division of the National League.

“There will be no Leinster sides in the top division of the National League next season, so the Leinster championship has taken a bit of a knock.

“It’s probably just not as cut and dry as it used to be. What a performance by Mickey Harte and his Louth team to win a second straight promotion, as well as the guys doing it out on the pitch. They’re clearly buying into what he’s selling.

“So Dublin have probably come back to the pack a little bit this year and while they should still win it, Kildare will be snapping at their heels.”

Ulster SFC

Diarmuid Connolly has singled out Ulster as the most competitive province in this year’s All-Ireland Championship and is tipping Monaghan to go one better than last year when they were denied by eventual All-Ireland champions Tyrone.

“It’s so competitive in Ulster,” he said. “You can’t write off Tyrone, but Derry will not be an easy place to go if they come through their preliminary match against Fermanagh. Derry were unlucky not to get to a division two final and Tyrone would be up against it going there.

“Armagh had a good start to the league but tailed off and although it’s the closest of the Ulster games, I’d expect Donegal just to have enough in Ballybofey.

“But I’m going with Monaghan in Ulster this year. I was very impressed with them coming to the end of the league, especially in the last game against Dublin.

“I think they’ve added a couple of players and found something special, so they’ll have a good chance of getting to the Ulster final at least.”

Munster SFC

Connacht SFC

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diarmuid Connolly is a six time GAA All-Ireland Football winner with Dublin. During his illustrious career he also won two All-Star awards. He retired from inter-county football in October 2020.

The 6′ 1″ forward still plays for club team, St Vincent’s, with whom he won five Dublin Senior Football Championship titles.

Connolly also won ten Leinster Senior Football Championships with St. Vincent’s as well as four National Football League titles.

He also joined the Dublin hurling panel as a dual player where he won an U21 Leinster medal.




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