Cork vs Donegal Prediction: Preview, Odds - All Ireland SFC Round 2

cork-vs-donegal-logo
Timetable 1st June, 14:30 GMT
Prediction Donegal To Win!
Odds 1.36
Bookmaker Lunubet Sports
Donegal To Win!
The 3 best bookmakers to bet with
1.
Bonus:
€100

18+ | New players only | Min. deposit 20EUR | Max number of winnings using bonus funds is 10,000 EUR | Bonus validity 14 days from receipt | Free spins given within 5 days from bonus activation, Wagering req. : 6x bonus + deposit | Wagering, banking, terms & conditions apply | Play Responsibly

2.
Bonus:
€100

18+ | New players only | Min. deposit 10EUR | Max number of winnings using bonus funds is 10,000 EUR | Bonus validity 14 days from receipt | Wagering req. : 16x bonus | Wagering, banking, terms & conditions apply | Play Responsibly

3.
1xbit Sports
Odds :
Bonus:
7BTC

18+ | New players only | Min. deposit 20EUR | Wagering req. : 40x bonus | Wagering, banking, terms & conditions apply | Play Responsibly | www.begambleaware.org

Donegal take on Cork in a huge 2nd Round All-Ireland match in an interesting Group 3 on Saturday 1st June at 2:30pm. Both teams emerged victorious in their opening games with Donegal prevailing 0-21 to 0-14 over long-time rivals Tyrone, whereas Cork prevailed over Munster rivals Clare on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-11 in Ennis.

Saturday's match takes place at Cork’s secondary ground Pairc Ui Rinn as opposed to their pristine main ground Pairc Ui Chaoimh, as the playing surface there recovers from the recent Bruce Springsteen concert. This could be a huge advantage for Donegal as Pair Ui Rinn is less wide open than Pairc Ui Chaoimh and should allow Donegal to keep in their defensive shape and counterattack.

🏆 Cork vs Donegal All Ireland Group 3 Round 2 Championship Prediction

Donegal have excelled this year after the return of legendary manager Jim McGuinness. He has done wonders for Donegal’s season and has put them in position as one of the favourites for the All-Ireland as they look to end their 12-year drought for the Sam Maguire. McGuinness guided Donegal to their last All-Ireland title in 2012 before taking up other coaching roles around the world including at Scottish Premiership side Celtic.

In recent years Donegal drifted away from being Sam Maguire contenders, but this year it is hard to look past them. They topped Division 2 before defeating Armagh in the Division 2 final 0-15 to 0-14. Donegal have also kept up their hunt for trophies in their Ulster campaign, defeating heavily fancied Derry in the Quarter Final before an extra time win vs Tyrone in the semi-final and a penalty shootout win vs Armagh in the final. After picking up two trophies already this season, they now have their sights set firmly on the biggest of them all, the Sam Maguire.

They will not have it all their own way though as Cork come into this game fresh off a Round 1 victory vs Clare. Cork have all the capabilities to cause what might be considered an upset. They are a strong physical team with lots of quality forwards, most notably seen in Cork legend Brian Hurley. Additionally, due to Donegal’s appearance in the Ulster GAA Final, Cork have had 14 days to prepare for this game compared to Donegal's 7-day turnaround.

Cork will pose a huge threat to Donegal, but McGuinness has shown since his return that he can adapt his tactics to suit the opposition and will no doubt have a plan to deal with Cork’s size and strength. I expect Donegal to have enough to see off Cork with some points to spare. Cork will cause trouble, but Donegal are a team full of confidence and it seems no matter what is thrown at them in recent games they find a way to win whether that be extra time or even penalties.

My Prediction: 🏆Donegal to win!

💯 Cork vs Donegal All Ireland Group 3 Round 2 Championship Odds

Donegal were very impressive last Saturday in their 0-21 to 0-14 victory over Tyrone and I fully expect them to continue their blistering form against the Rebel county in Cork on Saturday. Cork got their all important victory vs Clare in Round 1 that should see them get a top-three spot in this group barring no shocks by Clare in their games vs Tyrone and Donegal. This should allow Cork to play with some freedom so for that reason I am expecting a very entertaining game. Both teams are in control of their own destiny in this group and both will fancy their chances of going far in this competition. For me, I think Donegal have every chance of lifting Sam Maguire this year so I expect another victory for them this time out which is reflective in the bookmakers' odds below.

🏅Cork vs Donegal: Match Winner

Result
LeoVegas-Sports
888-Sport
Unibet-Sport
BoyleSports
Sportaza-Sports
Cork to Win3.703.754.003.754.00
Donegal to Win1.331.361.331.361.36
Draw7.508.509.008.509.50

✔️ Cork vs Donegal - Betting Tips

Check out my GAA football betting tips below for my expert insight:

  • Tip 1: Donegal Handicap -4: Donegal were comfortable 7-point winners last time out against Tyrone. On paper, Tyrone are a stronger team than Cork with Tyrone playing their league football in Division 1, whereas Cork play their league football in Division 2. Donegal are increasing their scoring output consistently in this championship. They scored 0-21 in Round 1 last Saturday and if we compare that to their Ulster Semi-Final and Final matches that went to extra time, they scored 0-18 and 0-20 respectively in those, with 20 extra minutes played.

    They are a very clinical side, last week registering 29 shots and converting 21. This is a shot conversion rate of 72%. They also converted 14 out 22 shots from play, which is a conversion rate of 63%.

    Cork on the other hand had 27 shots last time out was Clare and converted 14, a conversion rate of 51%. Of these shots, 20 were from play and 11 were converted, which is 55%. Both sides created a similar number of shots but Donegal were a lot more clinical. If this continues this weekend I expect Donegal to win by a similar margin to the Tyrone game, so odds of 2.10 at Boylesports for a Donegal -4 handicap is too good to be ignored, especially if you have a free bets to use.
  • Tip 2: Donegal HT/FT: Cork and Donegal last met in the opening round of Division 2 this year on the 28th of January. The game would be the perfect start to life in Division 2 for Donegal and would halt Cork’s start to the campaign and leave them chasing in the games that followed.

    Donegal ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 1-20 to 2-6 in MacCumhaill Park, Donegal. What I want to focus on for this tip is how both sides started the game. Cork started slow and it took them 14 minutes to register their first score of the game, a goal by Eoghan McSweeney. However, this had preceded 4 unanswered points by Donegal as they came out of the blocks fast, scoring inside the opening minute of the game. Donegal would continue to dominate Cork in that first half.

    Following the Cork goal they would outscore the Rebels 0-8 to 0-3 to lead by six at the break with the scoreline Donegal 0-12 Cork 1-3. There would be familiarity to the start of the second half as Donegal started with three straight points before Cork responded with a goal. Donegal found their momentum and control again and would run out comfortable winners by 11 points.

    Cork have improved in the months since but Donegal have also become a better team than the one that hosted Cork in January. I expect history to repeat itself and Donegal to be ahead at half time and win the game with BoyleSports offering a price of 1.67 for this outcome.
  • Tip 3: Oisin Gallen to score a goal anytime: Donegal are goalless in their last three games and have failed to hit the back of the net in both games against Tyrone and against Armagh. This is surprising as it comes after they netted 4 goals against usually tight-at-the-back Derry.

    They are due a few goals after brilliant performances in the games they failed to find the net. Full forward Oisin Gallen has been in unbelievable form this year. He is the 5th top scorer in this year’s championship scoring 1-19. In his last two games, he has scored 0-7 vs Tyrone and 0-6 vs Armagh. These followed 0-3 in the Ulster Semi Final vs Tyrone and 1-3 in that infamous Donegal goal-fest vs Derry.

    Donegal are due a goal and who better to provide it than their in-form forward. He hit the net from the penalty spot vs Derry and he is very capable from play also.

    Boylesports are offering odds of 6.00 for Oisin Gallen to be the first goalscorer. This is a risky bet as I expect goals in this game and Cork will threaten to hit the back of the net as well. A safer bet is for him to score a goal anytime. Boylesports are giving odds on Oisin Gallen to score anytime at 2.40, still enticing odds for one of the country's most in-form players.

1️⃣ Cork Update

Last 5 Games
Clare 1-11
Cork 1-13
18.05.24
All Ireland Group 3 Round 1
Kerry 0-18
Cork 1-12
20.04.24
Munster Championship - Semi Final
Cork 3-13
Limerick 0-11
07.04.24
Munster Championship - Quarter Final
Cork 2-16
Armagh 2-16
23.03.24
Allianz Football League Roinn 2
Meath 1-11
Cork 1-15
16.03.24
Allianz Football League Roinn 2

There are no injury concerns for Cork.

2️⃣ Donegal Update

Last 5 Games
Donegal0-21
Tyrone 0-14
25.05.24
All Ireland Group 3 Round 1
Armagh 0-20
Donegal 0-20
12.05.24
Ulster Championship - Final
Donegal 0-18
Tyrone 0-16
28.04.24
Ulster Championship - Semi Final
Derry 0-17
Donegal 4-11
20.04.24
Ulster Championship - Quarter Final
Armagh 0-14
Donegal 0-15
31.03.24
Allianz Football League Roinn 2 Final

There are no injury concerns for Donegal either.

👕 Cork vs Donegal - Potential Lineups

Pos.Down
6-2-6
Armagh
6-2-6
Pos.
Goalkeeper C.Kelly S. Patton Goalkeeper
Right Corner-Back K. Flahive E. Ban Gallagher Right Corner-Back
Full-Back D. O’Mahony B. McCole Half-Back
Left Corner-Back M. Shanley C. Moore Left Corner-Back
Right Half-Back R. Maguire R. McHugh Right Half-Back
Centre Half-Back T. Walsh C. McGonagle Centre Half-Back
Left Half-Back M. Taylor P. Mogan Left Half-Back
Midfielder I. Maguire J. McGee Midfielder
Midfielder C. O’Callaghan M. Langan Midfielder
Right Half-Forward P. Walsh S. O’Donnell Right Half-Forward
Centre Half-Forward S. Powter C. Thompson Centre Half-Forward
Left Half-Forward B. O’Driscoll D. O Baoill Left Half-Forward
Right Corner-Forward C. Og Jones P. McBrearty Right Corner-Forward
Full Forward C. Corbett O. Gallen Full Forward
Left Corner-Forward B. Hurley N. O’Donnell Full Forward
Donegal To Win!

✒️ Jack Guing – Expert Tipster

jack-guing-profile-photo

I am Jack Guing, a 23-year-old hailing from County Offaly in Ireland. I hold a bachelor’s degree in English and History from Maynooth University and a master’s degree in Sports Performance from the University of Limerick. I am a keen sports fan with an avid interest in GAA, soccer, and golf. My passion for performance analysis in sport offers a data-driven style to deliver informative predictions.

Read more predictions here: