Gaelic Games: Tipp's attacking flair too much for Banner.
Byline: Will O'HanlonCLARE and Tipperary hurlers meet for the fifth successive year in the championship in what has become one of the most intense of local rivalries of recent times.
Clare, one-time whipping boys of Munster, gained the
ascendancy in a glorious era from 1995 to 1998, but since then the old order has
re-established itself and Tipp look set for a fifth successive championship win over the Banner when the pair lock horns at Pairc Ui Chaoimh
tomorrow.
Their recent league meeting did not tell us much as both teams were seriously under-strength, but yet another
victory for Tipp confirmed that they seem to have Clare's measure at present and it will be a major surprise if the
result is different this time.
Tipp's potent attack will have the Banner's famed back-line, build round the rock-like Brian Lohan, under constant pressure, while Clare's old failing - a lack of flair in the forwards - is likely to be crucial against such high-octane
opponents. Tipp, giving up four points, look a solid bet at
10-11 with Cashmans.
Galway footballers' meeting with Roscommon is another local clash that will be anything but neighbourly.
The Tribesmen are a quality outfit and are warm favourites, but Roscommon like nothing better than putting one over on their more fashionable Connacht rivals. They have already beaten them in the League this year and, with former Dublin boss Tommy Carr now in charge, expect them to fight for every ball over an intense 70 minutes.
Roscommon getting five points makes plenty of appeal at evens with Paddy Power and Sean Graham. The offer of evens from Powers of a
total score of 29 points or less also catches the eye in what could be a dogged encounter.
Tyrone take on Derry at Clones, with the league
champions strong favourites. But Derry, with the example of underdogs Monaghan last weekend to spur them on, are more than capable of repeating their 2001 win over the Red Hands. They can be backed at 7-4 with Cashmans, but evens with Sean Graham on the handicap, in receipt of three points, is possibly the better option.
Antrim and Down clash in the Ulster Hurling semi-final where the Saffrons - who put an abject London to the sword last weekend - are fancied to defy a handicap of seven points against a Down team missing star forward Paul Braniff. The evens with Boylesports is the best on offer.
Recommendations
Tipperary -4
3pts 10-11 (Cashmans)
Roscommon +5
3pts Evs (P Power, S Graham)
CAPTION(S):
Tommy Carr Battling qualities
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| Title Annotation: | Sports |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Racing Post (London, England) |
| Date: | May 17, 2003 |
| Words: | 424 |
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