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Our picks for Saturday’s GAA motion embrace a win for Dublin in opposition to Tyrone at Croke Park.
The All-Eire Senior Soccer Championship has reached the quarter-final stage and this weekend sees 4 blockbuster knockout ties at Croke Park because the contenders for Sam Maguire are whittled down to simply 4.
On Saturday, there will probably be a march of the Ulster plenty in direction of the capital, with Monaghan and Donegal the curtain-raiser earlier than Tyrone and Dublin draw swords on Jones’ Highway.
Choices
Donegal -2 vs Monaghan @ 4/6
Michael Langan anytime goalscorer @ 6/1
Dublin to beat Tyrone @ 11/10
Con O’Callaghan first goalscorer @ 6/1
Donegal to quell Farney march
A second Championship assembly of the season for Donegal and Monaghan, who met within the Ulster SFC quarter-finals in Could.
That sport was performed in Clones, dwelling benefit for Farney Military, nevertheless it was Donegal that led from the fifth minute onwards.
Jim McGuinness’ aspect have been clear by six factors at half-time, 0-14 to 0-08, however Monaghan’s lengthy vary taking pictures served them properly within the second half, 4 two-pointers bringing them again into it, earlier than they have been left two factors adrift when the hooter sounded.
Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan and Peadar Mogan hit 13 factors between them that afternoon, with Daire Ó Baoill additionally impressing alongside the tireless operating energy of Finnbarr Roarty and Ciaran Moore.
It’s that energy off the ball that ought to serve Donegal properly as they return to Croke Park for the primary time since final summer time’s All-Eire semi-final loss to Galway – a sport they’ll have main regrets over.
The talismanic Michael Murphy was a tv pundit that afternoon however is now restored to the fray having emerged from retirement.
Such has been the affect of the 2012 All-Eire-winning captain, he’s favorite to be named Footballer of the 12 months, although that accolade will relaxation on Donegal’s progress over the following 5 weeks.
Midfielder Langan has been ultra-impressive this season. He hit 4 factors in that Clones conflict and might be a purpose risk on Saturday. The St Michael’s man can be an honest Man of the Match wager on this quarter-final too.
The attacking instincts of Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O’Hanlon are twin threats for Monaghan, however Gabriel Bannigan’s workforce might fall quick in opposition to a extra skilled Donegal aspect, with McGuinness ready to attract on Hugh McFadden, Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Patrick McBrearty from the bench final weekend.
Finally that ought to lead Donegal to a different semi-final as their pied piper McGuinness continues to threaten one other second-season supply of Sam Maguire to the Hills.
Dubs most well-liked in opposition to Pink Fingers
Dublin and Tyrone face off within the second of Saturday’s video games and they’re inseparable within the betting.
Each have impressed at instances however consistency isn’t a trait displayed by both Dessie Farrell’s Dubs or the first-season Pink Fingers beneath Malachy O’Rourke.
Tyrone bested Donegal in Ballybofey final month – on a moist and wild night – however adopted up with an insipid dwelling loss in opposition to Mayo.
They’ve the forwards to fret any aspect nevertheless it doesn’t all the time play out as such. They beat Dublin in Omagh within the Allianz League in March by seven factors, however the chilly air is lengthy since gone and the confines of Croke Park on a summer time’s night will current a vastly completely different problem.
Farrell revealed Dublin took a raffle by not bringing captain Con O’Callaghan off the bench for the closing levels of final weekend’s win over Cork. It paid off and the Cuala star ought to be raring to go now after his hamstring drawback.
King Con is an honest 6/1 likelihood to attain the primary purpose, however the worth lies in siding with Dublin at 11/10 to win this sport.
Capturing profligacy and ill-discipline price them dearly within the defeat to Armagh right here two video games in the past. If these issues are ironed out, the Dubs ought to march onwards.
Go to Betway’s GAA betting web page.