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Sunday, February 9, 2025

Na Fianna vs Clough-Ballacolla Predictions, Betting Tips, and H2H, 17/11/2024

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Na Fianna vs Clough-Ballacolla Preview

Dublin hurling champions Na Fianna will face Clough-Ballacolla in the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship. It’s been a stellar year for Na Fianna, who overcame Kilmacud Crokes to reach this stage. Clough-Ballacolla hopes to pull off a major shock against the Glasnevin side.

Na Fianna enters this game as a sizeable favourite against the Laois outfit. However, this is club hurling and anything can happen. Clough-Ballacolla may even have the game’s standout player in Stephen Maher. This all-action clash will go down on November 17th at Parnell Park with a scheduled throw-in for 3 pm.

Na Fianna vs Clough-Ballacolla Key Stats and Head-to-Head

Na Fianna and Clough-Ballacolla are the strongest hurling clubs in their respective counties. The Dublin side successfully defended their county championship against Kilmacud Crokes this year. It was a thrilling game, and they earned their 3-16 to 2-18 victory.

They won the game by a single point against their fellow Dublin powerhouses. This was only the second time they won the county hurling championship. Traditionally, they have a stronger record in Gaelic football. Na Fianna also made it to the 2023 Leinster Hurling Final but fell short against O’Loughlin Gaels.

Niall Ó Ceallacháin hopes that his side will achieve provincial glory this season. However, first, they must get past tricky opposition in Clough-Ballacolla. Na Fianna and Clough-Ballacolla have previously met in challenge games. Perhaps surprisingly, it was the Laois side who won those matches. However, this is the business end of the season, so Na Fianna will start their best players and take it seriously.

Clough-Ballacolla enters this game with a win over Rathdowney-Erill at O’Moore Park. They earned their 12th Laois title with a 2-22 to 0-22 victory. Stephen Maher delivered a virtuoso performance as he scored 1-14 for his club. It was phenomenal to watch from a neutral perspective.

Rathdowney-Errill committed too many fouls in the final. Maher’s clinical free-taking was an integral part of his side’s victory. However, Na Fianna will probably maintain more discipline in the comforts of Parnell Park.

Clough-Ballacolla has won seven Laois Senior Hurling Championship titles since 2009. They also have a recent pedigree against Dublin opposition. In 2021, they stunned Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster semifinals. They won 1-16 to 1-13 as they put on a brilliant display without fear. However, they lost by nine points in a rematch in 2022.

Na Fianna vs Clough-Ballacolla Predictions

Predicted Score: Na Fianna 2-24 – 1-15 Clough-Ballacolla

We believe Na Fianna will ease to victory against Clough-Ballacolla if you are going to bet on the Leinster Club Hurling quarterfinal. The Dublin side has a stronger panel than their Laois opposition. They also have the intrinsic motivation of last year’s Leinster final defeat. Our hurling prediction is that Na Fianna will win this game.

We don’t want to show any disrespect to Clough-Ballacolla here. They’ve shown they can beat elite opposition in the past. Their iconic victory over the Crokes remains one of the results of the decade. That historic win will give them the confidence to feel like they can beat anyone on their day. However, they trailed by four points against Rathdowney-Erill. It will be an uphill battle if this happens against Na Fianna.

Stephen Maher will be crucial to Clough-Ballacolla’s hopes in this game. We’ve raved about him already for a good reason. He was outstanding in the Laois County final and also played a key role in their famous win against Kilmacud. His dead-ball prowess is superb and he must be on point because they can’t waste any chances against Na Fianna.

The problem is that ‘Picky’ is one outstanding player and Na Fianna has multiple across their panel. AJ Murphy and Jack Meagher ran riot in the Dublin final. Their direct running was a consistent threat against the Crokes’ back line. It’s going to be tough for Clough-Ballacolla to hold them back. They play a rampant style of hurling that most Laois sides can’t replicate.

We’d give Clough-Ballacolla more of a chance if this game was in Portlaoise. Unfortunately, they’re entering hostile territory in Parnell Park. No doubt they’ll bring a large crowd to Dublin themselves. However, Na Fianna will benefit from massive home support, which could be a difference-maker.

Na Fianna also spread their scores around the field. Ten players got one on the scoresheet in their county final. They don’t depend on one man in the same way as Clough-Ballacolla. Lee Cleere scored three long-range points in the Laois Final. They must try to get him on the ball again to keep them in touch with the Dublin champions.

Momentum is crucial in hurling. One wasted chance or strong winds can shift the trajectory of an entire game. Na Fianna is currently a big favourite at Novibet but this could change if Clough-Ballacolla scores an early goal. Check the in-play betting markets because anything can happen.

Na Fianna vs Clough-Ballacolla Betting Tips

Na Fianna will enter this game as a firm favourite in our online sportsbook. This is fair because they regularly face stronger opposition than Clough-Ballacolla. They also have more depth across their panel and Niall Ó Ceallacháin can choose from better players.

It’s currently 1/5 for Na Fianna to win this game outright. A €10 wager could make €2 if successful. Betting on Na Fianna makes sense for the reasons we outlined above. However, this is club hurling and anything can happen. They mustn’t enter this game with a sense of complacency because Clough-Ballacolla could make them pay.

Clough-Ballacolla are 4/1 underdogs. This time a €10 stake could make €40. That’s a sizeable profit, but it’s also fair because they’re up against it here. However, they have a couple of standout players and an experienced coach in Willie Hyland. There’s plenty of continuity and confidence in the Laois side’s camp.

Check out the other hurling markets. This is a high-scoring sport, so there are plenty of options. It’s 2/11 for Na Fianna to take a seven-point lead. You can choose the same market for Clough Ballacolla at 15/4. We don’t recommend this bet because it would take a shocking Na Fianna meltdown.

Handicap betting is another great option as you can back Na Fianna and enhance your stake. Apply a -5 handicap on Na Fianna or a +5 handicap on their Laois opponents at 10/11. This would make a sizeable €9.09 profit and is our top betting tip for this fixture.

There are also many over-under markets for this game. You can bet on the total number of points in this match or for either team. However, we expect there to be under 50 points overall. Another option is to choose the individual player’s odds. ‘Picky’ Maher is a safe option to be Clough-Ballacolla’s top scorer because he takes their frees.

You could also bet on the number of red or black cards. These can be aggressive matches with plenty of drama because there’s so much at stake. Some players will even place wagers on an odd or even points total. There’s something for every type of player.

There are some big club championship games this weekend. You can bet on Thomastown as they travel to Westmeath for a dangerous clash with Castletown-Geoghegan. Naas host St. Martins in another intriguing tie. Players can create accumulators with any of the eight club hurling matches to maximise their potential returns. Or bet on the outright Leinster championship winner.

Na Fianna Team News and Predicted Lineup

Niall Ó Ceallacháin won’t leave anything to chance in his last opportunity to win a Leinster title. He’ll take the Dublin County job after this run. Ó Ceallacháin will pick a full-strength lineup in every game and won’t look past any opponent. Na Fianna has no new major injuries after their final against Kilmacud Crokes.

  • Predicted Lineup: Jonathan Tracey, Sean Burke, Conor McHugh, Jack Meagher, Paul O’Dea, Liam Rushe, Kevin Burke, Brian Ryan, Peter Feeney, Ciaran Stacey, Donal Burke, Sean Currie, Colin Currie, AJ Murphy, and Gavin King.

Clough-Ballacolla Team News and Predicted Lineup

Willie Hyland is unlikely to change his preferred starting lineup. Cuala-Ballacolla won the Laois Senior Club Hurling Final in style. Hyland will prefer to focus on his team being the best version of themselves rather than fixating on Na Fianna.

  • Predicted Lineup: Cathal Dunne, Diarmaid Conway, Darren Maher, Cormac Hogan, Joe Corby, Lee Cleere, Jordan Walshe, Aidan Corby, Willie Dunphy, Mark Hennessy, Kevin Mulhall, Sean Corby, Robbie Phelan, Stephen Maher, and Stephen Bergin.
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