Galway v Dublin Prediction, Betting Odds & Tips (2025)
| Timetable | 17th May, 17:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Galway To Win! |
| Odds | |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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The All-Ireland SFC 2025 commenced this weekend, and the GAA powerbrokers could hardly have hoped for a bigger launchpad as Galway entertain falling idols Dublin in Salthill.
The Dubs are fresh off surrendering their Leinster crown for the first time since 2010, while Galway edged out Mayo in a pulsating Connacht decider in Castlebar. The rewards for these powerhouse counties are a spot in the 'group of death' alongside Ulster duo Armagh and Derry.
This monstrous clash at Pearse Stadium is the deserved headline act on the All-Ireland series opening weekend. In anticipation of this main event, read our full Galway v Dublin prediction below.
🏆 Galway vs Dublin Prediction
The Dublin team finds itself in an unusual situation, losing a provincial match for the first time in 15 years. In addition to this setback, they’ve failed to secure the All-Ireland title for two consecutive years. It appears that their era of dominance has come to an end. Can Dessie Farrell and his team turn things around?
They would have preferred an easier opponent than the Tribesmen. Padraic Joyce and Galway were the beaten All-Ireland finalists last season, which allowed Armagh some reprieve in Croke Park.
Galway had a strong performance in the Allianz League this spring and, for the first time since 1966, they secured their fourth consecutive Nestor Cup.
Home advantage may be enough to get the Connacht champions over the line in Salthill, and our Galway v Dublin All-Ireland SFC prediction is for a home win.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 Galway TO WIN 🏆
💯 Galway vs Dublin Betting Odds
Galway are slight favourites to win at Pearse Stadium. They enter as Connacht champions, while the travelling Dubs navigate a challenging campaign outside Croke Park.
The Galway vs Dublin betting odds, set by the best betting sites, indicate this is a potential humdinger that could truly go either way. It's all poised for a Saturday evening firecracker, a week after the pulsating Ulster final in Clones at the same timeslot.
It's gearing up to be a massive weekend of GAA action across both codes. Read our sportsbook reviews to find the latest odds and offers.
✔️ Galway vs Dublin Betting Tips
The pressure is on both sides to perform, given how tough this four-team group looks. Galway ended Dublin's interest in the All-Ireland series last summer with a narrow one-point win in Croke Park at the quarter-final stage. Galway have a determined defensive setup that will make life difficult for the Dublin forwards in Salthill, and they have enough skill in the opposing half to cause real problems for the visitors.
Cillian McDaid is already an All-Star for Galway, and the Monivea Abbey clubman is making a significant impact going forward this season as some of the Tribe's star players remain injured. McDaid's work rate is high, and his athletic ability allows him to cover a lot of ground on the field. He has contributed crucial scores, and a big performance could earn him Man of the Match honours on Saturday. He'll offer decent odds and could be supported through some of the free bet offers for this weekend's action.
Despite a considerable breeze working in their favour, Dublin couldn’t overcome Meath in the Leinster semi-final in Portlaoise. They managed only one goal, when a second green flag might have changed the outcome. This contest looks sure to be intense, with space at a premium in Salthill. Under 1.5 goals in the game is a solid proposition as part of our Galway v Dublin betting tips.
- Tip 1: Galway to win: Likely, there won't be a lot to split these heavyweights, but Galway have the backing of the Salthill crowd and should edge it. They are fancied at 1.66 at DirectionBet.
- Tip 2: Cillian McDaid to be Man of the Match: With Shane Walsh and Damien Comer once more set to be absent from Galway's starting team, McDaid's influence will be key.
- Tip 3: Under 1.5 goals: New rules notwithstanding, this could be a titanic arm-wrestle for power. Finding ways to create real goal opportunities will be tough.
📈 Galway Squad Form
Padraic Joyce looks set to remain without marquee forwards Shane Walsh and Damien Comer. Their absence is massive, but his side got through the Connacht final without them. The rumour mill suggests that one or even both will be amongst the substitutes, and having two quality forwards to spring from the bench could be a game-changer.
Elsewhere, don't expect much deviation from the Connacht final line-up. Paul Conroy and Rob Finnerty were excellent in that win over Mayo in Castlebar.
⚽Dublin Squad Form
Dessie Farrell is the first Dublin manager in 15 years tasked with picking his side up from a provincial loss. After defeating Wicklow in Aughrim and then losing to Meath in Portlaoise, it is also the first time in a generation that Dublin have the spectre of playing three Championship games on the trot away from Croke Park.
Con O'Callaghan and Paddy Small contributed 11 points to Dublin's total of 1-16 against the Royals. However, as the game progressed and they were trying to catch up, Dublin made some poor decisions and seemed to lose momentum. They now need to make a significant improvement, or their summer could be jeopardised before it even begins.
👕 Galway vs Dublin Predicted Lineups
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Galway vs Dublin - H2H Stats
Last summer, Galway took out the Dubs in Croke Park after a superb second-half comeback. Trailing by three points approaching the hour mark, Galway's dreams of an upset were on the verge of collapse, but they finished with a flourish. It was Dublin's first quarter-final defeat since 2009 as Joyce's side turned the Galway v Dublin All-Ireland football H2H upside down.
🎯 Updates from GAA Twitter (X)
After stunning Dublin in the quarter-finals last summer in their own backyard, now Galway have to be wary of the Boys in Blue coming to Salthill and putting a massive spanner in the works as the All-Ireland series' Group of Death gets up and running.
This is the first All-Ireland series since the FRC's rules revamp came into effect
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!