Paddy Power is on the ball early with national football and hurling league prices and there might be a few bob to be made if we chose well and wisely. A lot of punters get into sports betting other than the horses and dogs with soccer a huge money spinner for bookies, but spread betting on rugby is huge as is betting on Gaelic games, the championship proving lucrative for those who know their stuff. The league can be dodgy enough and you follow the form teams at your peril. Having said that, Cork pulled off the double last year and it would take a brave, or indeed a foolish, man to bet against the Rebels repeating the dose, while beaten All-Ireland finalists Down took the division two title. So maybe championship and league form go hand in hand.
Holders Cork are installed as 5/2 favourites with Mayo getting a quote of 6/1. Tyrone are favourites to take the division two title but Mark Deeley, who does a lot of insider trading in Kildare, tells me to get the money down now on Kildare to win division two at 7/2. "Go and collect," to quote his exact words
I'd have a punt or two on Sligo at the rather attractive odds of 16/1 and keep an eye on Ballinrobe man Maurice Horan who has taken over in Limerick. They are a nicely priced at 3/1 favourites for the division three title, while Roscommon, despite tumbling to division four, look a solid bet at 2/1 to win that league title.
My €10 treble for what it is worth: Down at 8/1 for the division one football title, Derry at 11/2 for the division two title and Galway for the division one hurling title at 9/2. That should come in around €2,500 – give or take – and will pay for that holiday you promised her for going to all the those matches during 2011.
For the heavy hitters the double has to be a football punt: Cork 5/2 and Tyrone 7/4. For the criminally insane who feel the country is shagged – €1 e/w double on Kilkenny (football, division three) at 500/1 and Kerry (hurling division two) at 100/1.
Joking aside: Dublin at 66/1 for the division one hurling title? I wouldn't laugh at it.
Paddy Power prices for the football leagues are as follows.
NFL division one: 5/2 Cork; 5/2 Kerry; 5/1Dublin; 6/1 Mayo; 8/1 Down; 10/1 Galway; 14/1 Armagh, 14/1 Monaghan.
NFL division two: 7/4 Tyrone; 7/2 Kildare; 9/2 Derry; 11/2 Meath; 15/2 Donegal; 11/1 Laois; 16/1 Sligo; 22/1 Antrim.
NFL division three: 3/1 Limerick; 10/3 Wexford; 9/2 Louth; 9/2 Offaly; 11/2 Westmeath; 7/1 Cavan; 10/1 Tipperary; 25/1 Waterford.
NFL division four: 2/1 Roscommon; 11/4 Fermanagh; 11/4 Wicklow; 4/1 Longford; 14/1 Clare; 16/1 Leitrim; 22/1 Carlow; 66/1 London; 500/1 Kilkenny.
In hurling, the prices are as follows.
NHL division one: 3/2 Kilkenny; 13/8 Tipperary; 9/2 Galway; 9/1 Cork; 12/1 Waterford, 33/1 Offally; 66/1 Dublin; 80/1 Wexford.
NHL division two: 4/5 Clare; 11/8 Limerick; 11/1 Antrim; 20/1 Laois; 40/1 Carlow; 66/1 Westmeath; 80/1 Down; 100/1 Kerry.

The Keane edge

Top tipster Christy Keane celebrated his 60th birthday recently at his constituency HQ in Coady's where, according to Adrian, they were hanging off the rafters, many having travelled from London town for this special occasion.
The Togher boys and Christy's family ensured the evening flowed freely and a good night was had by all.
Word is that Christy attributes his continued good health and fine looks towards a healthy outlook on life, an infallible knowledge of horses and the ability to give his favourite song plenty of wasky, proving what a romantic he is with the opening verse of the Gene Pitney classic.
If I didn't have a dime and I didn't take the time to play the jukebox,
Saturday night would have been a sad and lonely night for me.
And if you weren't standing there, ruby lips and golden hair, beside the jukebox, I'd have lost my chance to hold you while you danced with me.
Good health and best wishes Christy from all at Coady's Bar, the home of Aston Villa – and others!