GAA Betting: Who Is Favourite To Win Footballer Of The Year?
With only two counties left standing in the All-Ireland Football Championship, the field of candidates on betting sites to be crowned the Footballer Of The Year is getting smaller.
Only Kerry and Galway remain in the Championship, and they are set to battle it out at Croke Park on Sunday in the 135th All-Ireland Football final.
That means you can expect your award winner to come from one of the two counties left standing, and we’re here to narrow down the contenders even further for you.
This prestigious honour is much sought after by players (even if they won’t admit it) and here are some of the headline contenders to take home the 2022 award.
Classy Clifford Ahead Of The Rest
David Clifford's overlapping run ends in a magnificent goal for @Kerry_Official. pic.twitter.com/4pEraqg1RY
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 26, 2022
As many a defender has found out over the last few years, David Clifford knows what it takes to get out in front.
The Fossa native was marked out for greatness a long time ago and he hasn’t failed to live up to the hype, as he now carries the can for Kerry’s forwards. He was also excellent for Jack O’Connor’s men in their run to the National League title this season.
His precious talent makes it no surprise to see Clifford as the heavy 8/11 favourite on GAA betting sites to score this award.
Clifford's season started slowly, as he only kicked a single point from play from the four points he got in Kerry's opening Championship game against Cork.
He then missed the Munster final with a calf problem, but returned in quarter-final victory over Mayo on June 26 - kicking a total of 1-04 on the day. But, it was in the semi-final success over Dublin where Clifford really firmed up his favourite's tag.
He seemed to be ploughing a lone furrow at times in the full forward line that day, but ended the game with six valuable points as the Kingdom beat the Dubs for the first time since 2009 in the Championship.
Clifford will only be focused on grabbing his first All-Ireland medal on Sunday, but if Kerry win he should have another honour to go alongside that for this season.
Amazing O’Shea Next In Line
With Kerry and Galway now into the All-Ireland Football Final, it is hardly a shock to see another Kingdom start this high up on the list.
Clifford is followed in the betting by county colleague Sean O’Shea at the rather generous price of 5/1 with BoyleSports.
The dead-eye freetaker and playmaker has notched 1-23 in just four Championship games, and he is one of the key components in Jack O’Connor’s plans for the Kingdom to win their first All-Ireland title since 2014.
Seán O'Shea sends @Kerry_Official through to the All-Ireland final thanks to a last-gasp free. pic.twitter.com/0zcuRKtmaU
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 10, 2022
It was his performance against Dublin last time out that really shot him up the betting for this award.
O'Shea notched 1-04 on the day, but it was his stunning free kick to send Kerry to the All-Ireland final that will live long in people's memories.
Seven points on Sunday could be enough for O'Shea to become the Championship's top scorer in 2022 and there is no doubt he is the one that makes Kerry's attack tick.
If they are to lift Sam Maguire this season, you may regret not taking his current price.
Dazzling Comer Leads Galway Charge
Damien Comer slots the ball into an empty net to get his second goal of the game for @Galway_GAA. pic.twitter.com/mc1jSaPcbf
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 9, 2022
Don't forget Galway in all of this! It may be 21 years since they last tasted All-Ireland success, but they have already proven in their battles with Mayo, Armagh and Derry that they will be no pushovers.
Key to their chances is how Damien Comer leads the line for them at full forward.
Admittedly, the season had been unspectacular for him up until the semi-final meeting with Derry.
However, when Galway needed him most, Comer stepped right up to the plate in some style.
The Annaghdown man whacked in 2-02 of the 2-08 Galway scored on the day, and it was his second goal in particular that lit up Croke Park.
A repeat of that scoring showing on Sunday, coupled with Galway bringing Sam Maguire Cup west of the Shannon, could make a mockery of his current 11/2 odds with Betfair.
Intriguing Outsiders Worth Considering
Thankfully, unlike the Hurler of the Year award, the football version has not been anywhere near as forward-biased over the last four decades.
In fact, an attacker hasn’t won the top gong since Mayo’s Andy Moran in 2017.
Therefore, it’s refreshing to see Kerry's Tom 'Sullivan on the hitlist at 8/1 with William Hill.
Galway make the first move in the Connacht SFC at Salthill - Shane Walsh finds the net
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 29, 2022
💻 https://t.co/o2kcwZDaz5
📺 https://t.co/hgbwjaYsed
📻 https://t.co/2SRRKdgjzu #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/u5vDBrjCrn
Shane Walsh of Galway is just ahead of him in the betting at 15/2 with Paddy Power.
Walsh (like O'Shea) has a sniff of ending up the Championship's top scorer and he could well nab the award on the back of a impressive season if the Tribesmen secure long awaiting All-Ireland glory.
The hard working Paudie Clifford is available at 7/1, and he seems to love his role as the Energizer Bunny of the Kerry attack. One would think he would need a final for the ages to eclipse his brother David for this award though.
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