Never mind the weather, or the groundhogs, or even the exams. The All Ireland Football championship officially kicks off this Sunday at 2pm in Pearse Park in Longford and that is the best guide for when the summer really starts. While the local derby between Longford and Westmeath that serves as the championship opener has the makings of a fine and lively contest, albeit one that won't affect the destination of Sam Maguire, picking one side or another right now is not advisable, for one reason - Dessie Dolan's shoulder. The Garrycastle clubman is struggling with injury and his participation is uncertain. To recommend betting on one team or another without knowing whether or not the best footballer either side possesses will take part is hardly judicious practice, so what we will recommend however is Longford to get the first goal in the game at odds of 10/11. Longford do score goals - this season in the league they scored 15 and conceded three, while Westmeath only managed four, albeit in a much tougher division. Even so, in front of the home fans 10/11 is an excellent price on Longford registering the first green flag of the match. For those who like bigger prices, you'll have to double that up, and with that in mind the bet has to be Cavan @ 8/11 to make up the double over Down. These are two very inconsistent teams, but Cavan have greatly improved this year under Donal Keoghan and Paul Grimley, and once again home advantage could be significant here, particularly with two counties with such a large hardcore following. Taking Ladbrokes 8/11 and doubling it with the 10/11 above gives a payout of just over 9/4, a price much more attractive to those just interested in having an bet in the vicinity of €10 or €20. Cavan didn't impress hugely in their last competitive outing - the loss to Roscommon in the Division 2 semi final in Croke Park - but they still completed their seven game division unbeaten and on top of the group, and when this is contrasted with the awful form Down have been in this year, you couldn't pick anyone but the home side here. The New York vs Sligo game does not represent a betting proposition at all - on any given year it's anyone's guess what New York will be like and that the game looks set to take place on Astroturf only adds more uncertainty to the fixture. What is certain though is that it is the first week of the Connacht championship and getting with Galway at 13/8 before the event starts is well worth the investment. Mayo may have edged out their fierce rivals in the league semi final recently, but how many people genuinely believe that Padraig Joyce would have missed those late chances if it was a championship clash in Salthill as it will be next Sunday week? Mayo will probably outlast their rivals in the All Ireland series, but looking at Connacht alone the 13/8 is an excellent price about a resurgent team of Tribesmen. TO PLACE YOUR BETS, CLICK HERE NOW LADBROKES Tweet

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