Cork’s shock defeat bails out the bookies
Mayo’s defeat of Conor Counihan’s men helped ease the pain of the bookies stung by Dermot Weld’s record-breaking 17 winners at Ballybrit.
Boylesports spokesman Leon Blanche last night admitted that Mayo’s heroics at headquarters had left them grinning.
He said: “The bookmakers are smiling. We would have to be very happy with the Cork defeat yesterday and the Donegal win on Saturday.
“Mayo’s win in particular saved us a lot of money not just in terms of match betting but also ante post as Cork were backed by many punters earlier in the year to win the All-Ireland.
“Having them knocked out at the quarter-final stage is a big boost to us. Any time a favourite for the All-Ireland goes out at the last eight, the bookies will be smiling.”
Blanche said that Mayo were well supported in the handicap betting but not to an extent where bookies were left feeling the pinch.
He also revealed there had been huge interest in Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare ahead of and during their All-Ireland quarter-final with Donegal.
“They were well backed at 4/7 on Saturday night with bundles of money on them. A draw after 70 minutes was brilliant for us and then a lot of people came on in normal time backing Kildare to win in extra-time. So Kevin Cassidy’s late winner was brilliant from our perspective.”
Meanwhile Blanche confirmed that Kerry now head the betting field in the race to land Sam.
The Kingdom are being quoted at 8/11, followed by Dublin at 9/2, Tyrone at 5/1, Ulster champions Donegal at 8/1 and Mayo at 9/1.
