You do not need to be from Ireland to support Irish sports. Ireland is full of great athletes, with some starting and winning gold medals at the Olympics and returning home to turn pro in their chosen sport.
Irish bookies have always supported their homegrown athletes, and before any events involving Ireland, you will find many odds and sports markets to wager on. Some of Ireland’s most celebrated and glorified athletes include Boxing Lightweight Unified and Undisputed Champion Katie Taylor, Notorious MMA fighter Connor McGregor, football legends Roy Keane, George Best, and snooker mastermind Alex Higgins.
With its good share of great athletes placing Irish sports on the map, let’s look at a betting guide for Irish sports fans. We will tell you what sporting events to expect in 2022, and also, who to place your bets on.
Boxing – Katie Taylor
Undisputed Lightweight Champion
Katie Taylor went through the ranks of boxing, and since boxing was not deemed a sport for women, she started her boxing training fighting as a boy. Perseverance, stamina, and drive managed to get Katie to the Olympic ranks, where she took the first gold in the Irish boxing scene. Teaming up with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn saw Tylor move to the professional ranks and quickly become the world’s undisputed champion.
Her latest bout #ForHistory in April 2022, saw her go head-to-head with 7-time division champion Amanda Serrano. Taylor dominated the fight with her superior uppercuts and punches and displayed defence skills that we have only seen in Tyson Fury. Defending her titles via a split decision, Tylor won the bout and invited Serrano for a rematch this year in her homeland, Ireland.
Whilst the first bout had odds in favour of Serrano, Katie Taylor looks more promising for the rematch; hence if you are looking to place a bet on Irish boxing, here is the fight to bet on. In favour of our reigning queen KT, of course.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – Connor McGregor
Return to the Octagon
Connor McGregor was not a happy bunny when he got injured during his clash against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Unfortunately for McGregor, the injury sustained resulted in him having to withdraw from the sport, get surgery, and also rehabilitation before he could fight again. When interviewed recently, McGregor stated that his injury is now at the rehabilitation stage, and he will possibly return to UFC in Q1 of 2023.
MMA is a demanding sport, with many fighters joining the octagon and many left. This means that McGregor coming back in 2023 will see him away from the sport for almost two years. Following an injury, the Notorious will doubt whether he can relish in MMA glory again.
Whilst McGregor remains a UFC great, a pillar of the sport, his return to fighting is doubtful, so betting on McGregor would require some caution. In other terms, do not place all your bets on Connor. The Irishman might suffer another incident like UFC 229 upset, where Kabib Nurmagomedov fought him into submission.
Betting on Irish Football
Whilst the Irish are known for many sports, football remains one of Ireland’s best and most celebrated. Top teams across Ireland compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division that kicks off during the summertime season. The teams competing for the ultimate champion title include Bohemians, Derry City, Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk, Slingo Rovers, and UCD.
Understanding the game will be good if you want to tempt your luck with Irish football. The Transfer market, injuries, and dressing room comments will also give you an indication of the team’s vibe and their winning motivations.
Just to give you a rough idea of team standings and the amount of time they basked through Irish football glory, here are some stats for you to digest.
Dundalk won the title 8 times, Shamrock Rovers 6 times, Shelbourne 6 times, St Patrick Athletic 5 times, Bohemians 4 times, Cork City 3 times, Derry City twice, and Slingo Rovers won the league only once. When placing bets on football, keep in mind the above stats, as they could be either a motivator or a demotivator for the football team.
Betting on Irish Gaelic Games
The Irish also have a set of Gaelic Games that you can enjoy and bet on. The Gaelic Athletic Association is a hub connecting athletes with the various Gaelic Games played in Ireland. Games include Hurling, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Gaelic Handball, and even Gaelic Rounders.
Many Irish and International betting sites will offer you many sporting markets and odds for you to delve into the world of betting on Gaelic games. To make your betting easier, many gambling sites such as Paddy Power will guide you on how to bet on Gaelic Games, and when match time is on, you can also follow the Gaelic Games live via live streaming and potentially place your bets as the event happens.
The future of Irish sports and betting
As many Irish athletes make a name for themselves in the lucrative and competitive world of sport, many new athletes are rising. Professional athletes like Katie Taylor strive to see Irish boxers get inspired by her belts and punches. Manchester United and Ireland’s Roy Keane also created a lasting legacy when he moved from being a footballer to inspiring youth to join football.
The best Irish bookmakers will welcome your bets on Irish sports and athletes. Find the ones that offer you the best sports markets, and of course, snagging a bonus before a wager will also enhance your gaming experience and gameplay fun. Ireland has a lot to offer, including betting on some of the best athletes in their specialised sport.
