GAA betting tips: Armagh may upset Oakleafers in Clones decider

The Ulster Championship has been the shining light for the provincials in football for a generation and, once more, Clones on Sunday presents the backdrop for what looks a mouthwatering pursuit of the Anglo-Celt Cup.

Dublin, by contrast, will surely be too good for Louth in Croke Park, while in the hurling the clash of Waterford and Clare stands out on Saturday evening.

Selections

Dublin to beat Louth

Clare to beat Waterford

Football

Armagh coming good in time for Ulster decider

Reigning champions Derry are the right favourites for this Ulster final but perhaps the value sits with Armagh in what is starting to look a 50/50 call.

Derry won a gritty arm-wrestle against Donegal last year but this looks almost certain to be a different scenario.

Rory Gallagher's team have seen eight goals scored in their last two games in Ulster. Worryingly, four of them were scored by Fermanagh and Monaghan.

They kicked 1-14 from their first 18 shots to take a firm grip on the game in the semi-final against Monaghan but added only seven more scores.

The likes of Padraig McGrogan, Ethan Doherty and Conor McCluskey are adding to the running-from-deep talents of Brendan Rogers and Conor Glass in the Derry set-up but Armagh will fight fire with fire in Clones.

The Orchard county are back into the Ulster Final for the first time since 2008 after putting neighbours Down to the sword in a semi-final where four goals did immense damage.

Kieran McGeeney's team kept Down scoreless at one stage for 20 minutes in that game. It will be a massive challenge to repeat that score of lockdown on Derry but it's Armagh's appetitive for raising green flags that makes them a danger. If they can get goals, it may force Derry into poor decision-making and it could all lead to an upset.

Dubs to master Wee County

Louth find themselves back in a Leinster final for the first time since 2010 after braving a dramatic extra-time encounter with Offaly at Headquarters.

Captain Sam Mulroy's excellence in the additional 20 minutes was pivotal as Mickey Harte's team progressed to the decider, while Ciaran Downey hit seven points in normal time for the Wee County.

It's a strong showing for Harte, the former All-Ireland winning manager with Tyrone, but toppling Dublin in the Croke Park showpiece may be asking too much.

The Dubs were made to work hard in a see-saw 0-14 to 0-12 win over Kildare to get here but there remains a feeling the boys in blue are playing a patient game with more gears to go through when they are needed in the All-Ireland series.

They shouldn't require full throttle to stave off what will be a gritty Louth effort on Sunday.

Hurling

Clare look to back up with Waterford win

Waterford vs. Clare, Munster SHC, Semple Stadium, Thurles - 6.00pm Saturday May 13, Live on GAAGO

Waterford proved a bitter disappointment when they were swept aside by nine points last time out against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and it's tough to see the Deise overcoming Clare in Thurles now.

Clare, meanwhile, ended Limerick's 11-game unbeaten run in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship with a stunning one-point victory over their neighbours at Gaelic Grounds.

That was Limerick's first provincial loss since 2019 and Clare will be eager to make sure they back the effort up.

They'll have to be on their guard if Waterford turn up in form, and Limerick were wasteful hitting 15 wides last time, but the Banner county are on the crest of a wave and should do enough to take the measure of Davy Fitzgerald's side.