Better watch out for the men in red

A HURLING fan yesterday placed €20,000 on Cork to win their third consecutive All-Ireland SHC title next September.

The bet, paid in cash, was placed in a branch of Boylesports bookmakers in the Midlands before noon.

The man received odds of 2/1 but Cork were slashed to 13/8 and deemed outright favourites for the crown following the splurge.

Kilkenny remain 2/1 and are second favourites to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup.

Boylesports spokesman Paul Magee is surprised by the magnitude of the punt.

“It is a major bet so far in advance of the championship,” said Magee.

“Normally we get some big bets before key championship games, or late in the campaign, but to have an ante-post bet of this size is quite amazing.

“This would be one of the biggest we would have taken on hurling, but it just shows the growing interest there is in GAA.”

And he admits it means an anxious few months for the bookmaking firm.

“We will sweat a small bit and will not be looking for Cork to win it. But hopefully we will offset it with other bets on the likes of Kilkenny.”

Meanwhile, in a first for Irish punters, Tote Ireland yesterday launched its internet betting platform, www.tote.ie.

Tote Ireland account holders can access Tote pools on course, by phone or on the internet. Account holders can use the same account number and password to bet across all its platforms.

The Tote online betting service boasts one of the fastest access templates available with betting available immediately from the homepage.

Punters have access to over 1,600 Irish and UK race meetings annually. The site will also provide real-time information, including the Jackpot guarantees and rollovers, Tote dividends, the racing calendar, news and results.

Tote Ireland chief executive Alexis Murphy said: “This is a very exciting development for Tote Ireland. We aspire to provide the best choice and service for our customers from our betting portfolio, and innovations like this brings Tote Ireland into a new era. The timing could not be better in the year of our 75th anniversary.”