There’s plenty of time for training.
It’s a double edged sword for the last men standing.
Having three months between their provincial final win and an All-Ireland semi-is good, in the sense that teams can properly bask in the glory of those great provincial wins.
Like the men of Gaoth Dobhair currently are.
All friendly banter, no mind games, just a bit of craic.
Fair play to the @gaothdobhairclg and @CorofinGAA lads, this is brilliant 🙌https://t.co/IfSjkHCegp— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 5, 2018
It’s far enough after the Christmas so that they’ll have time to sweat out all the turkey sandwiches and beer and they’ll also have time to work on things and even to improve in training.
But the time off doesn’t suit everybody.
On the other hand, momentum that teams have built-up may be lost over the break. The whole thing is dragged out and the players involved won’t get a proper break for a very, very long time.
Anyway, with all the provincial titles bar the Leinster football set in stone, we’ve taken a look at the teams still standing, the draws for the semi-finals and the chance they’re all in with.
Hurling
The hurling semi-finals take place on Sunday February 9 in venues tbc. Galway champions St Thomas’ face Cushendall and though the Antrim side have performed well at this stage in the past, Thomas’ will be just too good for them.
About time Galway hurling clubs stopped getting preferential treatment in All-Ireland series
The other last four clash, the battle of the Ballys is the real heavyweight clash. The Shamrocks were priced as high as 20/1 to win an All-Ireland club the morning of their county final beating of Bennettsbridge.
They stuttered to that county final win, the unfancied Érin’s Own running them close twice, but they’ve taken off in Leinster. Youngsters Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen and co. have come alive and the old stock are improving too.
Ballygunner are good too and it’s no wonder those three are so tightly packed in the outright betting.
Semi-finals (February 9)
St Thomas’ (Galway) v Cushendall (Antrim) 2.00
Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Ballygunner (Waterford) 4.00
Football
In the football, the whole of Ireland knows that it’s Gaoth Dobhair v Corofin in the last four. Corofin will be favourites for that, but don’t underestimate Gaoth Dobhair, a team who mirror Corofin’s polished, handpassing game and direct running style.
That’d be some game in a wide open pitch.
The Galway kingpins are still favourites to retain their title, though a lot of people are already planning a Paddy’s Day feast between Crokes and themselves.
The last time they met, Crokes won.
Who’s going to win the football this time.
Semi finals (February 16)
Gaoth Dobhair (Donegal) v Corofin (Galway) 2.00.
Dr Crokes (Kerry) v winners of Kilmacud Crokes v St Columba’s Mullinalaghta 4.00.
Odds: Paddy Power
