Former Dub star opts for Meath
BoyleSports had Meath at odds-on last weekend against Wicklow and Meath are odds-on again this weekend as the Royal County gets the nod from Diarmuid Connolly to win narrowly at Croker.
The retired Dublin forward spoke exclusively to Leon Blanche of BoyleSports on Friday looking ahead to the opening Leinster SFC semi-final between Meath and Kildare on Sunday at Croke Park.
“Meath looked impressive against Wicklow, scoring seven goals and they are starting to find a little bit of form. To be fair to them, they were very unlucky in the NFL Div 1 this year to get relegated," commented Connolly.
“Young Meath star Jordan Morris registered three goals and four points against Wicklow which is some going for a player making his debut.
"For me, Kildare have taken a step backwards ever since Kieran McGeeney stepped away from the fray, but traditionally these are close, tight games.
“Kildare really need to improve, they had 14 wides the last day.
"If they get their scoring rate up a little bit they might be able to trouble their rivals, but with Meath’s goal threats, I think they will just pip it," he added.
There is only two points in the handicap betting with Meath -2 at 11/10.
The Royals need to win by three points or more and the six-time All-Ireland winner thinks it can be done.
“I think Meath with the handicap of -2 is a fair enough bet," said Connolly.
"They were very impressive the last day, but more so I’d be looking at their league form and how many of the top teams they pushed to the pin of their collar," he remarked.
Jordan Morris, who impressed Connolly, scoring three goals is 6/1 to be the first goalscorer but Daniel Flynn is also one to watch out for.
“Any day you get a hat-trick for your county is a good day, I’ve only managed to get two of them in my career," added Connolly.
"Daniel Flynn has caused us (Dublin) trouble in the past and is a big man who knows where the back of the net is.
"For me, if the weather is poor, I can see both of these teams being very cagey at the start and setting up quite defensively so I can see value in no goalscorer at 13/2,” he concluded.
MEATH V KILDARE CHECK THE ODDS
Match Betting
8/13 Meath
7/4 Kildare
15/2 Draw
No Goalscorer
13/2
First Goalscorer
6 - Daniel Flynn and Jordan Morris
8 - Darragh Kirwan and Thomas O'Reilly
9 - Ben McCormack
10 - Bryan McMahon and Jimmy Hyland and Shane Walsh
12 - Bryan Menton and Cillian O'Sullivan
14 - Matty Byrne and Kevin Feely
16 - Paddy Brophy
28 - Shane McEntee and Kevin Flynn
33 - Donal Keogan, Con Kavanagh, Mathew Costello, Aaron Masterson, Ronan Jones
40 - Ronan Ryan and David Hyland