Pete’s Picks – Kilkenny v Waterford Stats & Tips

Shane Prendergast replaces the injured Jackie Tyrrell as Kilkenny seek yet another place in an All-Ireland SHC final.

Waterford are their opponents and are 3/1 to overthrow the defending champions. The Cats, though, are worthy 4/11 favourites and I expect Brian Cody’s side to progress by four points or more.

The main handicap betting line is four points but it took Tipperary until the final 10 minutes before truly confirming their Munster SHC final superiority over the Déise.

Keeping that in mind, playing off of the three-point line is probably the more astute call for the hefty wagers.

If there is one team capable of counteracting the defensive system of Waterford with grace it could be the Cats.
However, Derek McGrath’s outfit have produced enough solid displays in key matches at this stage in 2015 to warrant respect.

Colin Fennelly is stationed at full-forward for Cody’s men and looks overpriced at 16/1 to be named as RTÉ’s man of the match.

Should any player in an inside line be more than 12/1 to be regarded as a game’s MVP? Additionally, Cillian Buckley should out-play his odds of 25/1 in the same market.

Outside of TJ Reid and Richie Hogan, Buckley has been one of Kilkenny’s truly brilliant performers in the Championship and could figure in the man of the match reckoning at headquarters.

On the Waterford side, people may be tempted to back Tadhg De Búrca at 18/1 and were McGrath’s charges to prevail his sweeping presence will surely have been a notable feature once again.

As regular readers will be aware, Tipperary were put forward as our All-Ireland-winning punt. Furthermore, Seamus Callanan and Pádraic Maher were touted in the hurler of the year stakes and both are definitely in consideration already.

Still, if Kilkenny do retain the title TJ Reid is likely to be the obvious choice for the code’s top individual award and should be backed as a saver at 9/2.

Hogan is at the head of the betting too but it is virtually unheard of for any operator to retain the title. Reid has been sensational once again this year.

Pete’s Picks:
Kilkenny -3 @ 8/11
Colin Fennelly RTÉ Man of the Match @ 16/11
Cillian Buckley RTÉ Man of the Match @ 25/1
TJ Reid GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year @ 9/2