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Like the sport itself, hurling betting has been around for centuries, with hordes of eager fans keen to back their favourite county teams. Irish bookies often prioritise hurling, along with Gaelic football, so top odds and betting markets are guaranteed.
New to Gaelic games? Then let’s get you up to speed with what betting on hurling entails. This guide will cover what All Ireland hurling is and the teams that attract the best odds, along with a step-by-step look at how to find the best bookmakers offering hurling sports betting.
Caught the hurling and now keen to have a flutter? That’s understandable. After all, this ancient Gaelic sport is one of Ireland’s favourites, passed down through generations and yet still as thrilling as ever.
Betting on All Ireland hurling is a little different to wagering on most other sports out there, and the same applies to Gaelic football betting. Both of these Irish sports have unique rules, leagues, and teams to familiarise yourself with. So, if you’re approaching hurling sports betting as a complete beginner, this brief guide should help get you up to speed.
Overseen by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), All Ireland hurling is an inter-county tournament comprising the best hurling teams from across Ireland. The tournament typically begins in April each year, with the final being played in late July or early August.
To reach the finals, hurling teams compete in National Leagues across Ireland, with the winners from each group invited to compete in the All Ireland Hurling Championship, with a chance to win the Liam McCarthy Cup. It’s worth noting that the best GAA betting sites also offer wagering on lower-league fixtures, usually from late January onwards each year.
When it comes to choosing the best odds for betting on All Ireland hurling, you face a pretty similar process as you would with any other sport. That is to say, fancied teams will be priced lower since they are the favourites to win, while outsiders will attract the most lucrative odds.
Of course, there are other options besides All Ireland hurling outright betting. You can wager on a range of outcomes for any given match, with most of the top hurling sports betting sites online giving players multiple bet types and markets to choose from.
Some of the typical hurling betting odds you might find include…
Bet type | Details |
---|---|
Outright betting | Placing an outright bet on All Ireland hurling means backing one team all the way to the title. You’ll win this bet if your chosen team wins the Championship. There are some nice odds available for outright hurling bets, with some teams attracting odds of 20/1 and higher. |
Match betting | Match betting is all about predicting the winner of a single game, regardless of how they perform in the remainder of the Championship. Hurling match betting is super popular, and some vendors even allow you to place in-play bets while games are underway. |
Points betting | Hurling points betting attracts some eye-catching odds since there’s a lower overall outcome of success. You need to correctly predict how many points each team will score, either during a single match or across an entire tournament. |
Handicap betting | Bookies handicap certain hurling teams to make games a more even contest and generate more attractive odds. For example, if Carlow (a team with no titles) were to face Kilkenny (the team with the most titles), bookies may impose a handicap on Kilkenny in the form of a points difference, to even up their chances. |
Prop betting | Prop bets are a popular way to make wagers unrelated to the outcome of a match or tournament; for example, you may be able to place a prop bet on the first player to score. |
Before you fill out that All Ireland hurling betting slip, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the major players and where they rank in all-time standings. That way you can make informed picks and spot the best odds.
With that in mind, here’s a quick look at the top five hurling teams in Ireland with the most titles:
Of course, there’s more to consider here than the total number of titles. For example, while Kilkenny may have the most silverware overall, they haven’t claimed a title since 2015. Limerick, meanwhile, seem to have hit a rich vein of form and are the current All Ireland Hurling Championship title holders.
Betting on hurling is all about striking a balance between your head and your heart, selecting the best odds while staying true to your favourite teams.
It would be a bad job if it wasn’t! Hurling is one of the most popular sports for bettors in Ireland and the country’s best online sportsbooks tend to prioritise it on their fixtures lists. It’s completely legal to bet on hurling leagues in Ireland, so long as you do so with a reputable bookmaker that’s licensed to offer sports betting on the Emerald Isle.
Hurling sports betting sites aren’t made equal. Beyond the prerequisite licensing and legal stuff, there’s a lot that sets different bookies apart, which can make finding the best new betting sites something of a challenge.
Don’t fret, though, because our experts have a foolproof plan to make sure we only ever recommend the best betting sites for hurling fans. We take a range of factors into account when testing and rating Ireland’s top bookmakers, so you can be sure you’re betting on the very best platforms with the most competitive odds.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes a good hurling sports betting provider…
Hurling bet odds vary significantly between vendors, so this is where we begin our search for the best brands. Players want the assurance that they’re getting the best odds on their sports picks, so we compare different brands to see who cuts the mustard.
Although we wouldn’t recommend choosing a bookmaker based solely on the bonuses they offer, it’s definitely a consideration. The best free bet offers and sign-up promotions can really sweeten the deal when joining certain bookies; check out the banners on this page for our pick of the latest and best Irish sports betting promos.
Having the ability to place bets in play shouldn’t be underestimated, and nor should being able to stream hurling matches live. Some bookies don’t offer these types of features, so we tend to stick with those that do, since it can really enhance your experience.
We consider which payment methods bookies support, as this can be a real dealbreaker for some of you. We also test exactly how long it takes to withdraw winnings from particular brands, so you know that you’re going to get paid and have a rough idea of when.
Finally, we take a close look at a bookmaker’s T&Cs, drawing your attention to any limits, rules, restrictions and wagering requirements which could impact your enjoyment of a given brand. Of course, it’s super important to read T&Cs carefully yourself before you join a new betting site.
Now that you've discovered all there is to know about All Ireland betting let us share some of our standout sites with you. These mini-reviews will give you a quick understanding of what to expect from some of the best in the business. Remember to check out our full reviews if any platforms pique your interest.
Fans of Hurling will want to take a closer look at Boylesports. As a new user, you can get yourself off to a great head start by unlocking up to €25 in bonus bets. A minimum deposit of €5 is required to get yourself started, and a range of credible methods are accepted.
With your account funded and bonus released, you can then set about searching through upcoming fixtures, utilising bet calculators, and checking out past results. Beyond standard 1X2s and outright winners, you’ll find Boylesports provide Hurling fans with solid pre-match and in-play coverage. Plus, should you wish, you can always access your full account on the go.
Another great platform to enjoy betting on GAA hurling is Ladbrokes. When first visiting the site, you’ll be encouraged to work your way through the registration process before having the chance to add €25 in bonus bets to your account. A simple €5 wager on eligible markets is all that is required to redeem.
Speaking of markets, you’ll find that you can bet on upcoming matches, in-play fixtures, and future tournament winners at Ladbrokes. Plus, odds are regularly updated and remain competitive throughout. The site is accessible online or through a mobile app, and you’ll find that support is readily available, too.
If you’re looking for a top GAA Hurling sportsbook, then you’ll do well to find much better than Bet365. To begin, you’ll be able to work your way through a streamlined registration process and release a bonus of up to €100. Once you’re up and running, you’ll be free to begin filtering through available markets from within the sportsbook, building bets with just one single click.
Notable features include the option to livestream fixtures and cash out your bets. Plus, you’ll be able to access the full betting experience through the intuitive mobile app. Swift deposits, solid support, and safe withdrawals all come as standard here, too.
Hurling is a thrilling and intense game that’s perhaps undervalued beyond the borders of the Emerald Isle. For those in the know, though, the sport is a bettor's dream, bringing unexpected outcomes, pulse-racing action, and some truly eye-catching sportsbook odds.
Be sure to heed our advice when it comes to finding the best bookies to place bets on hurling – particularly with regards to odds and live, in-game betting. And don’t forget to check the banners on this page, where you’ll find a hand-picked selection of the latest hurling betting promotions.
Absolutely. Big-name pro hurling tournaments attract some nice odds from Irish bookies, with the inter-county All Ireland league being the Championship to look at for the best games, teams, and betting markets.
All of Ireland’s best betting sites should have decent odds on hurling fixtures, so it’s a case of comparing what’s available from the leading bookies. Some brands that spring to mind include the likes of BoyleSports, Betfair, and Ladbrokes.
Start by finding a betting brand that features the latest All Ireland hurling fixtures. Then, sign up, make a deposit, and start betting on your favourite teams and matches. That’s really all there is to it.