Corofin aiming to justify hot favourites tag
IF we’re to believe the bookies, this year’s senior football championship is already a done deal, with Corofin the almost unbackable favourites before they even kick a ball in the county semi-final.
Mind you, it was less than a month ago when pundits and bookies were predicting with unshakeable certainty the parading of Sam Maguire through the streets of Dublin city this week, and we all know what happened there.
Without doubt, reigning champions Corofin are the team to beat again this year in Galway (a ‘hardy annual’ line almost every springtime), but opponents Milltown, will harbour their own hopes of delivering a big semi-final performance.
The second semi-final pairing between Barna and St. Michael’s does have something of a special charm, with both clubs chasing the prize of a first ever senior county final appearance.
Michael’s and Barna have been stabled in the ‘dark horses’ yard for the early part of the season but impressive quarter-final displays from both sides have seen them shake up the old order this year.
While Barna and Michael’s would prefer a semi-final venue closer to home turf, Tuam Stadium has a special atmosphere for the big club matches, and this tie does appear to have the bookies slightly baffled.
Speaking of the bookies, John Mulholland Bookmakers, have Corofin at 1/5 against Milltown (4/1) with the draw at 10/1. St. Michael’s at 4/5 are the slightest of favourites against Barna (5/4), although the draw in this one at 15/2 could give a bit of value.
If Corofin do go on to win the county title, this week you’ll have to lay a cool €700 to make a profit of €200 – one for the hard core punter but remember there’s often many’s the slip between cup and lip.
Full preview in this week's Connacht Tribune.