Kerry are favourites at the semi-final stage for no other reason than the fact that they're Kerry. They've never really impressed during the league and an over-reliance on the Gooch will be exposed sooner or later.

Mayo were much more consistent, despite a bad slip in boggy conditions at Parnell Park against Dublin. They held Tyrone in the final game, who had built up some impressive momentum by beating Kerry on the way.

Forwards have been scoring well from play, and returning players make an impressive list, including the likes of Trevor Mortimer, David Brady and Ciaran McDonald.

Mayo have to get past Galway today, and should be fancied, particularly after an impressive display by the under-21s in last week's Connacht final, when Galway's formerly free-scoring Seán Armstrong was well held by Keith Higgins.

It won't do an awful lot to ease the pain of more than half a century without All Ireland silverware, but take the 3-1 available about Mayo giving long-suffering supporters something to cheer before the month is out.

BACK Barry Hawkins to win the World Snooker Championship 60 (59-1) Betfair John Higgins is threatening to take favouritism away from Ronnie O'Sullivan for the World Snooker Championship after some impressive form so far this season.

But value might be found further down the list in the form of qualifier Barry Hawkins.

Hawkins beat impressive UK champion Ding Jun Hui to gain a place at the Crucible and may go far this fortnight.

His odds in some bookies have been slashed to 25-1 or less but he's still available at almost 60-1 on exchanges. It's likely you haven't heard the name before, but not many had heard of Shaun Murphy this time last year either.