Stephen Walsh's Betting Column (May 12 2017)

Last week was a poor week. There is nothing else that can be said about it with us only getting one of the three selections correct. Dundalk and Cobh both lost while Derry got their first win in a few weeks.

The First Division has been a minefield and many have been recommending that I leave it out of bets so as to get winners, but I am going to keep it the treble so as to cover all aspects of Irish football.

This week, the Sophia Housing Agency is the charity we will be hoping to support with the winnings. Thanks again to Paddy Power for donating the bet and enhancing the bet. Check out the link at the bottom of the page to see the enhancement.

We have chosen two Premier Division games and one First Division clash for the treble.

First up, we are backing Bray Wanderers to defeat Finn Harps away in Ballybofey. I have witnessed both of these teams play in the past two weeks and to me it seems a no brainer to back Bray at 10/11.

They looked a lot fitter than a Finn Harps side struggling with injuries. Cork City stopped the Bray threat with clever positioning by Conor McCormack who this week picked up the SWAI player of the month for April. Harps used Paddy McCourt in this role last week, and this is an area that I can see the likes of Gary McCabe and Dylan Connolly benefitting from too much success.

Harps may have felt aggrieved at losing the earlier encounter between the sides this season due to some refereeing decisions but since then Bray have upped the ante and, despite a loss to St. Patrick’s Athletic last week, will emerge with the three points tonight.

Next up is Cork City to defeat Galway United at 4/6. City have been in top form this season claiming the three points in every league game this year while Galway on the other hand have only got one win.

However they have had a few draws and if a few refereeing decisions had gone their way they could be higher up the league. City will be missing Karl Sheppard for this clash but the return of Garry Buckley should be a boost for the side such has been his goal scoring prowess this season.

Last up in the treble is the dreaded First Division. Athlone Town have suffered another tough week in the press,the players had interviews on Monday and Tuesday whuch may affect preparation while they got a new manager in yesterday in Roddy Collins (though he won't be in charge tonight).

This means there wouldn’t have much time to focus on the opposition however the earlier encounter between these two sides finished 4-1 to Shelbourne.

Shelbourne have had a mixed season so far, while Owen Heary’s men have struggled in front of goal of late, having not found the net in any competition since April 15^th when they lost 3-1 to Longford Town.

This run will have to come to an end at some point and I think both teams to score at evens is a good bet.

Bets:

Cork City to win 4/6

Bray Wanderers to win 10/11

Shelbourne v Athlone Town BTTS Yes 1/1

Normal odds: 4.86/1

Enhanced odds: 6/1 (click here to take advantage of our enhanced odds in association with Paddy Power).