Down v Louth Prediction: Preview, Odds & Betting Tips
| Timetable | 31st May, 17:30 GMT |
| Prediction | Down To Win! |
| Odds | |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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The Ulster Championship has long been recognised as a powerhouse among the 4 provincial series, and this could be highlighted in the coming weeks as 6 of the 7 Ulster counties competing in the round-robin phase are in a strong position to reach the All-Ireland knockout stages. This weekend is crucial for several teams, particularly Down, who are preparing to face Leinster champions Louth in Newry. This match is part of a busy Saturday featuring 4 games, and there are plenty of free bets available for punters as the June Bank Holiday GAA action unfolds.
Conor Laverty and Down were Tailteann Cup winners last year. Although neither the Allianz League nor the Ulster Championship went as well as they had hoped, they are now proving they deserve to be contenders for the Sam Maguire. A victory over Louth would secure their place in at least a preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final. Below, we provide a comprehensive preview along with our Down vs. Louth betting tips.
🏆 Down v Louth Prediction
Down were highly impressive in defeating Clare in Ennis a fortnight ago, with the Munster finalists being overwhelmed by half-time as the Ulster visitors recorded an impressive tally of 2-17 in the opening half. Pat Havern, who was named Footballer of the Year in the Tailteann Cup last season, is smoothly transitioning to this higher level of competition. He scored 9 points in Ennis and played a crucial role in many of Down’s best moments.
This victory marked Down's first All-Ireland SFC win outside of Newry since 2012, and their first of any kind in 6 years. The Down v Louth betting odds suggest that the Mourne men are likely to continue their success at home.
Louth had won the Leinster final against Meath at Croke Park, but in hindsight, the Royals' inability to perform was as much to blame for their defeat as anything else. They fell short against Monaghan last week, losing by six points in a match that truly flattered Ger Brennan's side. For this reason, we predict a Down victory in Newry. Before placing your GAA bets this weekend, consider exploring our extensive bookmaker reviews to help you choose the best option for your betting needs.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 DOWN TO WIN 🏆
💯 Down v Louth Betting Odds
The teams in Group 3 had very different experiences in the first round. Down achieved a resounding victory in Ennis against Clare, dominating the game and securing a 17-point win by halftime. In contrast, Louth found themselves in a challenging position against a strong Monaghan side in Newbridge last weekend. Despite the final score showing only a 6-point deficit, Louth struggled significantly, especially following their historic Leinster title triumph.
Given these outcomes, Down is favoured by the best betting sites to continue their winning streak as they return to the familiar surroundings of Pairc Esler, with a place in the knockout stage within their reach.
✔️ Down v Louth Betting Tips
Momentum could be crucial in this matchup, which is why our Down vs. Louth prediction is that Conor Laverty's side will emerge victorious. Down started their Ulster SFC campaign by defeating Fermanagh but faced a tough loss against Donegal in Clones. However, they displayed their potential in a dominant performance against Clare in Ennis, showcasing their scoring depth with ten different scorers contributing to the victory in Cusack Park. In contrast, Louth struggled offensively, only managing to have four players score in their recent defeat to Monaghan in Newbridge. Although Louth's Sam Mulroy and Tommy Durnin netted two goals each, the overall performance highlighted a significant gap between the two teams. With momentum on their side and the advantage of home field, Down is poised to secure another win, likely with a comfortable margin.
Betting on over 3.5 goals is a strong option, as both teams have a solid record of scoring. Down scored three goals against Clare and added two more in their match against Fermanagh in the Ulster quarter-final. Louth, meanwhile, has shown their goal-scoring ability by netting six goals across three games in Leinster, including four in their loss to Monaghan. With Down's diverse scoring threats, Louth may need to push for more goals to keep pace.
Pat Havern was outstanding in Down’s win against Clare. He was named the best player in the Tailteann Cup last season and played a pivotal role by scoring almost half of Down’s total of 45 points in the first two games of the Allianz League this season. Havern suggested that the new rules benefit a Down team he described as "fit, physical, strong, and fast". He has the potential to deliver a Man of the Match performance in Newry.
- Down -1.5 points: Louth's confidence likely took a significant hit following their defeat to Monaghan, while Down is riding high after their convincing win over Clare. Down's scoring threats come from multiple angles, making them favoured to win by a comfortable margin.
- Over 3.5 Goals: Both teams have demonstrated a strong ability to score this season, and this trend should continue at Pairc Esler, setting the stage for plenty of goals.
- Pat Havern to be Man of the Match: Sharpshooter Pat Havern is Down's key player. He delivered a remarkable performance with two stunning points against Clare and was accurate with his dead balls. He has the potential to stand out in this match.
⚽ Down Squad Form
Conor Laverty netted his first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship victory as Down boss as the Mournesiders proved too strong for Clare in Ennis in their Group 3 opener a fortnight ago. Tailteann Cup winners in 2024, Down had earned the right to contend amongst the Sam Maguire players this time around and had shown enough in their Ulster semi-final loss to Donegal to warrant the idea that they can do some damage in a group also containing Louth and Monaghan.
It took them a mere 35 minutes in Ennis to rubber-stamp that theory. Goals from John McGeough and Daniel Guinness got the wagon rolling, and a brace of inspirational two-pointers each for Pat Havern and Danny Magill ensured Laverty’s side had established a handsome 2-17 to 1-6 half-time advantage in Cusack Park. Havern put in a magnificent display as he landed nine points on the day, while Burren ace Danny Magill tacked on seven scores of his own. Down had 10 different scorers in the win over Clare, and that could be a telling factor when they welcome Louth to Pairc Esler, so it must be factored into any Down v Louth All-Ireland SFC prediction.
⚽ Louth Squad Form
The afterglow of Louth's provincial glory was well and truly engulfed last weekend as Monaghan tore them apart in Newbridge. Gabriel Bannigan’s side were simply ravenous for the win, and it meant that even Sam Mulroy and Tommy Durnin’s brace of goals in either half would not be enough to keep the Wee County close enough to be a threat.
Indeed, Louth were flattered at full-time to be within six points of the Farney Army. From the moment Stephen O'Hanlon rifled home Monaghan's goal inside two minutes, Louth were in trouble. Ger Brennan’s side clung to the contest, relying on their knack for taking goals to stay in touch, but Monaghan always had a vice-like grip on proceedings.
The always impressive Mulroy finished with 2-02 on the day, and Ryan Burns hit five points to go with Durnin's two goals, but a lone Ciaran Byrne point was Louth's only other scoring effort against their neighbours. They'll have to find a way of spreading out the workload in Newry, or it could be another difficult evening.
👕 Down v Louth Predicted Lineups
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✒️ Down vs Louth - H2H Stats
This will be the first ever Down v Louth All Ireland Football H2H, with the Wee County having won a 1st Leinster title in nearly seven decades. Down's pedigree in Ulster is not what it once was in the glory days of the 1960s when they won 6 Anglo-Celt Cups, but they won their place in the round-robin this year after winning the Tailteann Cup last year and hope to build on that and advance to the knockout stages. Louth hope to avoid finishing bottom of the group and being eliminated from the All-Ireland race after winning their first provincial title in 68 years.
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!