By Ronan Scott
r.scott@gaeliclife.com
BOOKIES up and down the country will be taken to the cleaners by canny Ulster punters if Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone don't reach the All-Ireland football final this year.
In what appears to be a massive gaff on the bookies' part they have betrayed a lack of knowledge about Ulster teams by offering very generous prices on everyone apart from Tyrone.
It seems that bookmakers are trying to scare punters off backing the favourites, Kerry, by luring them into taking long odds prices on other teams. However, their misguided belief in Tyrone and Dublin has left them wide open, and punters in line for a big pay day.
For example National League finalists like Derry have been installed at the astounding price of 20/1 for All-Ireland glory, despite the fact that Derry have shown fine form so far this season, and have reached their second final in the space of four months.
Considering that Boylesports offer each way odds of half the win price, that means a punter would get a return of ten times their stake as long as Derry just reached the All-Ireland final. Five times in the past ten years a National League finalists has reached the All-Ireland final so each way money going on Derry looks like an astute investment.
Boylesports spokesperson Leon Blanche admitted that the price of 7/1 for Tyrone is based on the team's potential rather than the amount of money that has already come in for them.
"Tyrone are at seven to one and many people might look at that as value. But that is the price that we rate them at. Their league form may not have been great but Tyrone are a capable team and they will be looking to win Ulster," Blanche added.
Blanche admitted that each way money has already come in for Monaghan who, like Derry, are 20/1 to win Sam Maguire this year.
Yet despite those massive odds Blanche stood by the prices offered for Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone, despite the fact that neither of those teams has shown any of the form expected from an All-Ireland finalist.
Blanche's argument as to why Kerry are favourites is justified.
"Looking at the All-Ireland final it should be no surprise that Kerry are the strong favourites because their record is remarkable. It's going to take one hell of a team to beat them," he said.
However, it was his summary of the chances of Dublin that we realise that the Southern bookies are out of touch with the football.
"We looked at Dublin and saw that they went very close last year. There were a number of other factors, such as Pillar Caffrey asking for two years more in the job and only getting one," he said.
Blanche admitted that there are a number of variables taken into account such as form, money coming in for teams, and past history. He also said that prices change regularly and one of the reasons for that is for injuries. Yet even though Tyrone have a few players on the sidelines they are still favoured to win the provincial championship.
In the Ulster championship Boylesports are offering Tyrone as favourites at 5/2 with last year's beaten finalists Monaghan at 10/3. Armagh are 4/1 while Derry have been installed at 5/1 to win their first Ulster championship in 10 years.
