Donegal v Tyrone Prediction: Preview, Betting Odds & Tips
| Timetable | 24th May, 19:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Donegal To Win! |
| Odds | Donegal to Win @ 1.63 |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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Donegal and Tyrone meet in their All-Ireland Round Robin Group 1 opener in Ballybofey on Saturday evening with the stakes well and truly raised after Cavan stunned Mayo in the opening contest in this section. Mayo found themselves in with a trio of Ulster rivals but the Westerners would have expected to progress, likely alongside these two teams Cavan set the cat amongst the pigeons by defeating Kevin McStay's side on Sunday.
For Donegal and Tyrone, it means there is an air of volatility hanging over their summer now, with that Cavan win turning the group on its head and a wounded Mayo with repair work on their minds if they are to make the knockout stages of the All Ireland SFC next month. It gives an extra helping of spice as these north-west rivals prepare to renew hostilities in MacCumhaill Park and below you will find our betting tips from some of the best betting sites ahead of this monster showdown.
🏆 Donegal vs Tyrone Prediction
Jim McGuinness and Malachy O'Rourke would have watched with interest as Cavan upset Mayo in Castlebar on Sunday. That result has really blown Group 1 open, with Tyrone travelling to the Ulster champions here then hosting a rattled Mayo side in Omagh next. For Donegal, too, there is now a sense of jeopardy as a poor outcome here would send them to face a confident Cavan side at home next.
When these sides clashed in the Allianz League in March, O'Rourke’s side had too much in the tank for a much-changed Donegal on a day when the visitors’ need was greater. It was a 6 point win for Tyrone in Letterkenny that spring afternoon but much water has passed under the bridge since. Donegal have secured successive Ulster titles after their win over All-Ireland champions Armagh in Clones a fortnight ago. Tyrone had Armagh on the ropes in their semi-final at the same venue but they succumbed late on to Kieran McGeeney's side.
That contest will serve as a warning to Donegal and McGuinness that they cannot expect an easy ride here. It will be year and a day since these teams clashed at MacCumhaill Park at the same stage of the Championship last season. Donegal had seven points to spare then. It may be tighter this time but the Tir Conaill side should still come out with a win and our prediction is for the Ulster champs to start with victory.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 DONEGAL TO WIN 🏆
Donegal v Tyrone Betting Odds
We've scoured some of leading online sources for the latest odds on this All-Ireland series clash and you can find out more about the best options for betting in our bookmaker reviews. Donegal are a remarkable force in Championship football in Ballybofey and are rightly installed as favourites here. A Tyrone win is no forlorn hope and would really ignite this group but the Red Hands will need a major performance to storm McGuinness' fortress ensuring the latest Donegal vs Tyrone betting odds looks about right for this Ulster derby.
Donegal v Tyrone Betting Tips
Donegal are fresh off sealing successive Ulster titles, defeating Armagh – again – in a pulsating final that needed extra-time. They won't be taking anything for granted in this latest instalment of Ulster football's most enduring rivalry of the last 15 years. Tyrone have recorded Championship wins in Ballybofey twice since 2018, but neither of those wins came when McGuinness was in the opposing dugout. Donegal have beaten Derry, Monaghan, Down and Armagh en route to winning Ulster.
At times in those games, they have looked irresistible, but they have also allowed the opposition to remain in their slipstream. It could be a similar outcome here, with Donegal fancied to edge their way to a crucial win. Donegal's goals in the Ulster Championship have typically been coming from late runners arriving into dangerous positions. Dara O'Baoill, Hugh McFadden and Ciaran Moore have all profited.
Tyrone are almost certain to try and put up a robust barricade and it may be that surging runs from deep are the most profitable way to make inroads again. Gaoth Dobhair man O'Baoill should have plenty opportunity to do just that and could be decent value as first goalscorer. Peadar Mogan kicked three points in this fixture a year ago. The St Nauls man enjoyed a breakout campaign last season and, had Donegal won their All-Ireland semi-final against Galway, he may well have ended it as Footballer of the Year. His energy and appetite for covering ground will be key against Tyrone and 2024 All Star is a solid proposition for Man of the Match honours, which is our 3rd and final All Ireland SFC prediction.
- Tip 1: Donegal to win: With Mayo's shock loss against Cavan putting a different perspective on this group, Donegal will know the value of a home win. Expect them to deliver in the Ballybofey cauldron.
- Tip 2: Daire O'Baoill first goalscorer: The Gaoth Dobhair man has a real eye for goal. He found the net against Derry here last month and could do so again.
- Tip 3: Peadar Mogan to be Man of the Match: Mogan was outstanding for Donegal in their Ulster SFC quarter-final victory over Monaghan. He did his defensive duties with typical tenacity and also bombed forward to score four fine points.
⚽Donegal Squad Form
Donegal are sweating on the fitness of Ryan McHugh. The midfield curator would be a massive loss to McGuinness' side but the Kilcar man looks more than likely to be a starter. The return of Michael Murphy has really put a pep in Donegal's step this season but the form of captain Paddy McBrearty has to be a worry, he was largely ineffective in the Ulster final. Major personnel changes are unlikely for the hosts here, but Eoghan Ban Gallagher is knocking on the door for inclusion as he nears fitness. Strength off the bench was pivotal in that Ulster final win as Donegal perhaps gave the biggest hint so far that they have progressed from last season.
⚽Tyrone Squad Form
All-Star forward Cathal McShane has stepped away from the Tyrone panel ahead of the All-Ireland senior football championship campaign. McShane notified his teammates and Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke of his intention to depart the setup. The Owen Roes clubman has picked up three Ulster SFC medals, as well as an All-Ireland medal in 2021. The Red Hands must plan without him for now. Mark Bradley and Darragh Canavan both made their injury comebacks in the agonizing Ulster Championship loss against Armagh in Clones. Tyrone came back from a poor start to lead that contest by two in the closing stages but they couldn't see the job out. Darren McCurry scored ten points against the Orchard county and he will be a key man for the trip to Ballybofey.
👕 Donegal v Tyrone Predicted Lineups
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📌 Donegal vs Tyrone - H2H Stats
The Donegal-Tyrone rivalry has dominated UIster football for the last 15 years, since Jim McGuinness started his first stint as manager of the Tir Conaill side and set his sights on Mickey Harte's Red Hands. The Donegal v Tyrone All Ireland Football H2H has been shaded by Saturday's hosts in that time, but Tyrone can point to a pair of Championship wins in Ballybofey since 2018,
Enda McElhinney
Enda McElhinney is an Irish-based sportswriter, specialising in written content on the GAA, horse racing and football. He has more than a decade of experience across many publications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and betting nous to his craft. You'll find his content featured on many websites, including The Telegraph and Planet Sport. When he isn't at this desk or the racecourse, he loves to unwind on the golf course – though sometimes that can be more stressful than working!