Éanna Atkinson looks forward to Round 2 of the Allianz National Leagues
Last weekend we experienced an exhilarating start to the Football and Hurling National Leagues.
A lot of the games were played at a brilliant intensity for this time of year, and hopefully we’ll get more of the same this weekend. It was a good start for my selections,too, with 15 of 22 recommendations proving correct.
Old rivals Mayo and Dublin clash in MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Saturday evening. This is our featured game of the weekend.
The other live games this weekend are in hurling: Cork v Tipperary is live on RTÉ2 @ 7pm on Saturday evening. While the live game on Sunday, is the meeting of Limerick and Galway on TG4 @ 2pm.
NFL Division 1 – Mayo v Dublin (Throw-in @ 7pm, live on eir Sport 1, on 01/02):
Both of these teams come into this game on the back of draws in their first league outings of 2020.
Dublin have picked up where they left off under new manager Dessie Farrell, as they played out a classic with Kerry. When you consider the late appointment of Farrell and the lack of preparation they had for this game, having just returned from a team holiday, this was a very admirable performance.
Mayo were less impressive against Donegal. Declan Bonner’s men dominated the game and should have put it to bed. James Durcan came on in the 67th minutes and scored an incredible 1-03, with his equalising goal coming with the last kick of the match.
Unbelievable goal by James Durcan for @MayoGAA in the last moments of the game to level it!! pic.twitter.com/cwKGRqcEZf
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 25, 2020
In the first half last Saturday, Brian Fenton was absolutely outstanding, kicking four brilliant points from play. James Horan will be hoping his midfielders can curb the Raheny man’s influence on the game this Saturday evening.
Brian Fenton sticks over another great point for @DubGAAOfficial pic.twitter.com/EpiWFE4ilu
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 25, 2020
As poor as Mayo were last week, I can see James Horan really getting his team up for this clash with the Dubs. With the aid of home advantage, I think that Mayo can make this a close game; so, for me, Mayo with a 4 point head start is good value.
I do think, however, that the Dubs can get the job done in a tight game against Mayo, like they have done so often in recent years. So if you are after a value punt, Dublin to score 1st, Lead at Half-Time and Win looks a big price @ 11/5.
Verdict: Mayo +4 (Handicap Betting) @ 8/11
Value Bet: Score 1st, Lead HT & Win – Dublin @ 11/5
NFL
Division 1:
Monaghan v Tyrone Verdict: Monaghan @ 6/5
Kerry v Galway Verdict: Galway +4 (Handicap Betting) @ 11/10
Meath v Donegal Verdict: Donegal @ 8/15
Division 2:
Laois v Armagh Verdict: Armagh @ 4/9
Cavan v Westmeath Verdict: Draw @ 15/2
Fermanagh v Roscommon Verdict: Roscommon @ 4/7
Clare v Kildare Verdict: Kildare @ 2/5
Division 3:
Down v Derry Verdict: Down @ 5/6
Louth v Tipperary Verdict: Tipperary @ 4/6
Offaly v Longford Verdict: Draw @ 15/2
Leitrim v Cork Verdict: Cork -6 @ Evens
Division 4:
Wexford v Carlow Verdict: Carlow @ 8/11
Limerick v London Verdict: Limerick
Sligo v Antrim Verdict: Antrim @ 5/4
Wicklow v Waterford Verdict: Wicklow @ 4/7
NHL
Division 1A:
Limerick v Galway Verdict: Limerick @ 8/13
Cork v Tipperary Verdict: Cork +3 (Handicap Betting) @ 1/2
Westmeath v Waterford Verdict: Waterford -12 (Handicap Betting) @ 5/6
Division 1B:
Dublin v Laois Verdict: Dublin -7 (Handicap Betting) @ 10/11
Wexford v Clare Verdict: Wexford @ 4/6
Carlow v Kilkenny Verdict: Kilkenny -13 (Handicap Betting) @ 5/6