The football championship in Laois this weekend reaches the quarter final stage and here we try find you the best value bets of the weekend.
The bookies have three of the weekends games down as very close affairs and we believe that value is to be had in this market.
Tonight sees the clash of Graiguecullen (8/13) and St Joseph’s (13/8). Graiguecullen are deservedly favourites for this. Graigue have not put a foot wrong so far.
St Joseph’s have not been overly impressive so far, struggling in their games against Ballylinan and at times against Ballyfin.
Those players that spent the summer in America return puts them in a better position going into this clash. The introduction of Michael Keogh and Adam Campion helped to secure their quarter final berth the last day out.
Expect to see those players play a bigger part this week. This improvement in the personnel available makes this a little too close to call.
Portarlington (6/4) clash with Arles Killeen (4/6) for the third time this year and Killeen have favourites to turn the tables on the result last time out.
Portarlington have a number of injury worries going into this. Sean Byrne and Eoin McCann are out.
Colm Murphy may play a small part yet despite an arm injury. But Port need him fully fit and on top of his game to succeed here.
How they cope once again with Donie Kingston is key here. The three week break here will have benefitted Killeen and I expect them to just shade it. 4/6 however is a little short considering how evenly matched the teams are.
Ballylinan take on Killeshin on Saturday evening. This has been the subject of a significant gamble all week.
Ballylinan opened at Evens and have been backed into 2/5 in Powers. Ballylinan have been very good so far. Their win against rivals St Joseph’s was a massive victory for them and will give them great confidence going into this.
My advice, follow the money and include them in your accum at 4/7 with Boyles.
Portlaoise are 1/20 in places against O Dempseys (15/2) and this should be left alone.
The relegation final also takes place tonight where Mountmellick (11/4) take on Arles Kilcruise (1/3).
Kilcruise were dreadful against Stradbally and look a team in serious decline. Mountmellick were similarly dreadful against Clonaslee and have since had a change of management with Alan George taking over.
Kilcruise should have the experience to win this but 11/4 is very tempting on a Mountmellick team with a fresh face at the helm.
The intermediate semi finals also take place in Laois. Rosenallis clash with Portlaoise tonight and we think 4/6 is a tempting price on the “Nallis”.
Portlaoise have lost 6 players to the senior team and were lucky to take the Rock last day out. Emo clash with Timahoe on Saturday evening. This is the county final in most people’s eyes and should be a good game. We just feel that 2/5 is a little short on Emo here.
Based on this information, we feel a three team treble of Rosenallis (4/6), Ballylinan (4/7) and Arles Killeen (4/6) in Boyles represents good value. We will have a 1 point stake on this at 3/1.
Elsewhere in the country, there is a feast of club action. We recommend a 5 team accumulator.
Over in Offaly, Bracknagh (1/3) should oblige. Tang (1/3) in Westmeath, Fourmilewater (4/11) and Passage (8/13) in Waterford, Sean Treacys (2/5) in Tipperary to complete this accumulator at odds of just over 4/1.
