Gaa previews Sunday 11 April

[GAA_Punter]

Sunday 11 April

Allianz NFL Division 1
Cork v Mayo, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm
Referee: Gearoid O Conamha

Cork have the advantage heading into this mouthwatering clash against fellow table toppers Mayo of knowing that whatever the result in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, their place in the league final is already assured.

Because of the new rules brought in this season, even a Cork defeat to Mayo coupled with a Dublin win in Omagh would leave Cork ahead of the Dubs because of their better "Head-to-Head" record.

That means all the pressure is on John O'Mahony's team although they at least know that a draw would be good enough to guarantee their place in the April 25th final.

The Mayo boss has been talking up Cork in the build up to the game and while there is an element of mind games in what he has been saying, he knows that his team will be really up against it against a Cork team who are heading to their first league final since 1999.

O'Mahony should be able to call upon both Ronan McGarrity and Alan Dillon but Kevin Higgins has already been ruled out and Enda Varley is rated as "extremely doubtful".

Much will depend on the team that Cork field and how seriously they take what could be a league final dress rehearsal. Captain Graham Canty and Anthony Lynch are believed to be close to returning to the Cork line up while Donnacha O'Connor is available again following his four week ban for a sending off against Tyrone.

Verdict: M

Tyrone v Dublin, Omagh, 2.30pm
Referee: Derek Fahy

It promises to be a nail biting day in Omagh with both teams needing wins for vastly different reasons.

While there are many different permutations of what might happen depending on different results Mickey Harte's team at least know that their destiny is in their own hands. If Tyrone win they will stay in Division 1 next season, simple as that. A loss however and they will almost certainly be relegated.

It's hard to know what to expect from Dublin with the wheels coming off their league challenge in spectacular fashion in their last two games where they were defeated by Cork and Galway.

For all the new players brought in this season by Pat Gilroy, Dublin still seem overly reliant on the admittedly magnificent Bernard Brogan and they also have problems in midfield where Eamon Fennell and Rory McConnell were badly exposed in the defeat against Galway last time out.

Colm Cavanagh's last gasp winning goal for Tyrone against Kerry in their last game was the kind of the moment that can change a team's season and while Dublin supporters in Omagh will be glued to the radio to see if Cork can do them a favour against Mayo, their team will be facing a massive obstacle in the form of a resurgent Red Hand team on the pitch.

Verdict: Tyrone

Rest of preview on
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/04/08/gaa-preview-saturday-10th-11th-of-april-2010/

[GAA_Punter]

Mayo at 5/2 to beat an under strength Cork team is surly worth a punt

[Lar Naparka]

Mayo at 5/2 to beat an under strength Cork team is surly worth a punt

Looks like you, me and the man who wrote that preview are out on our own!