Galway still have some way to go before they get the respect they surely deserve at this stage.
It seems that whatever went before April means nothing in the championship conscience of this island.
Galway can top the Division One table if they want. They can beat Kerry, Mayo, Tyrone, Monaghan and they can draw with Dublin too but it hasn’t propelled them into the All-Ireland conversation and maybe there is something in championship pedigree.
The Tribesmen have made it to the last two quarter-finals but endured two poor, poor days against Tipp and Kerry and, even on their way to Croke Park this Spring, question marks remained. The defensive system, the time of the year, the fact that they’ve just come up from Division Two and had to hit the ground running means people have been reluctant to praise them.
That means the bookmakers are also slow to trust Galway.
That means there’s value to be had.
This is the same Galway who rightly booked their place in the league final and had Dublin shitting themselves. The handicap odds for them that day in headquarters also disrespected what they had done up to that point and, ahead of the Connacht quarter-final with west coast rivals Mayo, the form book isn’t being taken into consideration.
It’s Galway who have knocked Mayo out of the provincial tournament the last two years and beaten them in the league and FBD too.
Their recent dominance over their neighbours isn’t a freak and it isn’t something to be sniffed at because, when it comes down to it, we’re talking about Mayo here.
That’s probably why Mayo are still down as favourites in the bookies.
The pair lock horns in Castlebar on Sunday and have named strong team to face off.
Despite the trajectory both teams were on this year, despite Galway’s apparent Indian sign over their rivals, Mayo are still favourites.
Mayo win – 8/11
Draw – 15/2
Galway win – 6/4
A 6/4 outside bet for Galway really is strong odds for a team coming in with the better momentum and a team who has been defying odds all year.
At +1, you can get them at Evens. So if a draw comes in, your bet is still up.
In saying that, the real value is in the draw. Again.
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