Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly believes Kilmacud Crokes will take all the beating when they tackle Connacht champions Padraig Pearses this weekend for a place in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Final.
The Dublin kingpins are odds-on favourites to see off the Galway side, and six-time All-Ireland winner Connolly expects them to justify that status at Breffni Park in Cavan on Saturday afternoon.
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“I was very impressed with Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster Final,” said Connolly.
“They were missing their talisman in Paul Mannion and a lot were thinking they wouldn’t get over the line against Naas.
"But the depth in their squad is unbelievable, it reminded me of the St. Vincent’s team that I played on when we had 30 lads chomping at the bit and there was savage competition for places.
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“Naas had done their homework and put pressure on from the kick outs, because Kilmacud don’t have two big target men in the middle, so the strategy was probably to work it short.
"But Kilmacud rectified that in the second half and dominated it, a lot of that was down to keeping possession from the restarts.”
“It'll be a cagey affair at the start for sure and Padraig Pearses are coming in under the radar after their first Connacht championship.
"It worries me that they only had four scorers against Knockmore and you aren’t going to win too many games with that, so I can’t see anything other than a Crokes victory.”
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4/7 Kilmacud Crokes
7/1 Draw
15/8 Padraig Pearses
* Prices correct at time of writing
BET ON THE ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CLUB FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HERE
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More about the author:
Diarmuid Connolly is a six time GAA All-Ireland Football winner with Dublin. During his illustrious career he also won two All-Star awards. He retired from inter-county football in October 2020.
The 6' 1" forward still plays for club team, St Vincent's, with whom he won five Dublin Senior Football Championship titles.
Connolly also won ten Leinster Senior Football Championships with St. Vincent's as well as four National Football League titles.
He also joined the Dublin hurling panel as a dual player where he won an U21 Leinster medal.
The Dublin kingpins are odds-on favourites to see off the Galway side, and six-time All-Ireland winner Connolly expects them to justify that status at Breffni Park in Cavan on Saturday afternoon.
? "I've been tipping them the whole way through; the depth in their squad in unbelievable."
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) January 27, 2022""
? @dermoc123 previews the All-Ireland Club SFC Semi-Final between Kilmacud Crokes & Padraig Pearses!
? Saturday, TG4, 5pm.
Bet ? https://t.co/FkC10RB4eR#GAA @BoyleSportsLB pic.twitter.com/jJIFlqpNdJ
BET HERE ON KILMACUD CROKES V PADRAIG PEARSES ON BOYLESPORTS.COM
“I was very impressed with Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster Final,” said Connolly.
“They were missing their talisman in Paul Mannion and a lot were thinking they wouldn’t get over the line against Naas.
"But the depth in their squad is unbelievable, it reminded me of the St. Vincent’s team that I played on when we had 30 lads chomping at the bit and there was savage competition for places.
WE HAVE TONS OF GAA SPECIALS RIGHT NOW ON BOYLESPORTS.COM
“Naas had done their homework and put pressure on from the kick outs, because Kilmacud don’t have two big target men in the middle, so the strategy was probably to work it short.
"But Kilmacud rectified that in the second half and dominated it, a lot of that was down to keeping possession from the restarts.”
“It'll be a cagey affair at the start for sure and Padraig Pearses are coming in under the radar after their first Connacht championship.
"It worries me that they only had four scorers against Knockmore and you aren’t going to win too many games with that, so I can’t see anything other than a Crokes victory.”
ALL YOUR GAA ODDS FOR THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE ARE ON BOYLESPORTS.COM
4/7 Kilmacud Crokes
7/1 Draw
15/8 Padraig Pearses
* Prices correct at time of writing
BET ON THE ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CLUB FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HERE
Safer Gambling
Remember, please always gamble responsibly. Check out BoyleSports' dedicated Safer Gambling information.
More about the author:
Diarmuid Connolly is a six time GAA All-Ireland Football winner with Dublin. During his illustrious career he also won two All-Star awards. He retired from inter-county football in October 2020.
The 6' 1" forward still plays for club team, St Vincent's, with whom he won five Dublin Senior Football Championship titles.
Connolly also won ten Leinster Senior Football Championships with St. Vincent's as well as four National Football League titles.
He also joined the Dublin hurling panel as a dual player where he won an U21 Leinster medal.