Marc Ó Sé: Donegal can spring surprise against Kerry
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The National Football League gets under way this weekend and Ladbrokes ambassador Marc Ó Sé casts his eye over three televised games from Divisions One and Two.
Galway were ever so close to winning the All-Ireland last year and Padraic Joyce will want to go one step further this year. Kevin McStay begins life as the new Mayo manager but will have to begin without the services of legend Lee Keegan. What a loss he will be to Mayo!
Only one more sleep until the return of #AllianzLeagues Football!
This weekend, Round 1 of the Allianz Football League begins. Take a look below for Saturday's fixtures and to find out where you can watch them! https://t.co/ketmuArqFQ pic.twitter.com/mdrkhMB5tc
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 27, 2023
How quickly Galway can get Shane Walsh back into the set-up will be interesting. However, I think this game will come too soon for him. From a Mayo point of view, Keegan and Oisin Mullin will leave huge holes in their defence and it remains to be seen who will fill their big shoes.
For me this is going to be a really tight affair as all Mayo v Galway games are and I am going to go with the draw here at 13/2.
Why this game is being played at Croke Park I do not know. Croke Park received huge criticism during the week for the state of the pitch at the weekend. But it should be noted that 20 club matches have been played there in the last two months which in my mind is a very good thing. That said, I think this game should have been played at Parnell Park.
Our Senior Footballers begin their Allianz League campaign this Saturday evening against Kildare 👕
🎟 Get match tickets here ➡️ https://t.co/9r54VKmaqS#UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/EoqGUc7rMm
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) January 23, 2023
Dessie Farrell will want to get his troops back up to Division 1 straight away. Eyes will be all over Dessie’s team selection to see if Jack McCaffrey and Con O’Callaghan will feature. Kildare had a very convincing win against Dublin in last year’s league but with this game being played at Croke Park, I expect nothing other than a Dublin win.
My bet is on the Dubs to cover the handicap and win by six points or more at 10/11.
It just will not be the same to see Donegal without the great Michael Murphy. He simply cannot be replaced, and it is about rebuilding now for Paddy Carr who inherits a very strong Donegal team.
Kerry have just five players available from the team that played in last year’s All-Ireland final, but it gives fringe players the opportunity to impress Jack O’Connor. Unfortunately for Kerry they will be lacking serious fire power up front especially considering Paudie and his brother David Clifford won’t be playing. I fancy a Donegal victory at 7/4, with a few points to spare.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
