Down v Galway Prediction: Preview, Odds & Betting Tips (2025)
| Timetable | 22nd June, 13:45 GMT |
| Prediction | Galway To Win! |
| Odds | |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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Galway emerged as the most formidable 3rd place finishers in the preliminary qualifier draw, and they face a challenging matchup against Conor Laverty's Down. The excitement intensifies as Down welcomes Galway to Páirc Esler, Newry, on June 22nd for what promises to be an electrifying clash filled with long-range shooting and high-scoring action. Fans can catch every moment of the preliminary quarterfinals on GAA+, with Derek O’Mahony officiating the Sunday showdown.
In this preview of the Down vs Galway preliminary quarterfinal, we’ll dive into the latest betting odds and provide some valuable betting tips to help you stay ahead of the game. Don’t miss our Down vs Galway prediction, keep reading to get all the insights you need before the big event!
🏆 Down v Galway Prediction
Galway have been involved in some of the best and most exciting matches of the 2025 All Ireland SFC so far, and Sunday’s game against Down could be yet another. Their matches against Mayo in the Connacht Final and their group games with Dublin, Derry and Armagh stood out in a championship that has revitalised Gaelic football for many fans around the country.
Their issues in the group phase have meant an away draw in the preliminary quarterfinals and a trip to Newry to face a confident and effective Down team. Conor Laverty’s team have produced some impressive scorelines of their own on this run to the last 12, and if they can get the scoreboard moving on Sunday, they will no doubt be a threat to Galway.
Both sides were amongst the highest scorers in the group phase, with Down scoring 4-78 and Galway hitting 8-50 . If they can both hit their strides in Newry, we could be in for another classic. Galway have a deeper squad with a broader range of scorers now, however, so our Down v Galway prediction is for a close Galway win after a scoring fest in Newry.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 GALWAY TO WIN 🏆
💯 Down v Galway Betting Odds
The latest Down v Galway betting odds with a host of Irish bookmakers reflect the growing feeling around this game. Galway are justifiably favourites given their standing and aspirations for this year’s All-Ireland, but Down are certainly capable of causing Padraig Joyce’s men trouble on Sunday, June 22nd.
Before placing a bet on this classic, why not learn more about many of Ireland’s best betting sites? You can do this by checking out our sportsbook reviews page. Here, you will find the latest promotions and free bet offers the sites are offering new and existing customers as we look forward to another exciting weekend of GAA action.
✔️ Down v Galway Betting Tips
We will now give you 3 betting tips ahead of what could be a high-scoring blockbuster in Newry on June 22nd. We fancy Galway to get out of Newry with the win, so the tips reflect our belief that the match will ultimately end with a narrow Galway win.
- Tip 1: Down +3.5 Handicap: Galway has won their last two matches in the 2025 Championship by a margin of just two points against Mayo in the Connacht Final and one point in their most recent group match against Armagh. Down has demonstrated their ability to score big this year, achieving 1-26 in a loss to Monaghan, 0-25 in a win against Louth, and 3-27 against Clare. If they can hit their scoring stride again, it will require a substantial effort from Galway to come out on top in Newry. To back Down with a +3.5 handicap, you can find odds of 1.85 with DirectionBet.
- Tip 2: Rob Finnerty Anytime Goal Scorer: The Salthill-Knocknacarra forward has stepped up significantly in the absence of Damien Comer and the subdued performances of Shane Walsh up until the Armagh match. Finnerty scored 3-13 in the three group matches and is on track to earn an All-Star nomination if Galway continues to perform well in this year’s championship.
- Tip 3: Down HT / Galway FT: Galway has found themselves trailing at halftime in all three of their group matches. Given that Down will likely come out strong at home against their more renowned rivals, there’s a good chance they could lead at halftime in this matchup. However, we expect Galway to rally and secure the win in the end. If they can replicate the second-half performance they demonstrated against Armagh, they should have more than enough to clinch victory at Pairc Esler. If you agree, you can bet on Down leading at halftime and Galway winning at full time with odds of 5.50 with DirectionBet.
⚽ Down Squad Form
Down have really made an impact on their return to the All-Ireland series this year. They went down 2-27 – 1-26 in their battle for top spot with Monaghan the last day, but earlier wins over Clare and Louth meant they were already qualified for a preliminary quarterfinal. The 2024 Tailteann Cup winners welcome Galway to Newry with star man Pat Havern in fantastic form. Havern has hit 0-39 in 5 matches for Conor Laverty’s side. The Down manager will need Havern at the top of his form, alongside other figures such as Odhran Murdock, Danny Magill and Pierce Laverty if they are to cause a surprise and knock Galway out of this year’s All-Ireland.
⚽ Galway Squad Form
Galway have been a real mixed bag in this year’s Championship so far. They may have won the Connacht championship yet again with a win over Mayo, but they then struggled to a defeat against Dublin and a draw against Derry in their first two group phase games. They looked like heading out of the Championship at one point in their last game against Armagh before producing a fantastic second-half performance to claim the crucial win.
The 2nd half saw Padraig Joyce’s men score 2-15 as they beat last year’s All-Ireland champions 2-22 – 0-27 in a classic. Once again, Shane Walsh stood up for Galway, hitting 0-9, while Rob Finnerty continued his good form with 1-4. John Maher and Peter Cooke, who came in for Paul Conroy, also helped Galway over the line as they bid to kick into gear as we reach knockout football from here on in.
👕 Down v Galway Predicted Lineups
Below you can find a projected line-up for both teams ahead of the Down v Galway preliminary quarterfinal in Newry.
6-2-6
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✒️ Down v Galway - H2H Stats
There has not been a Down v Galway All-Ireland h2h meeting since the 1971 All-Ireland semi-final clash when Galway won 3-11 – 2-7. The sides have met more recently in the National League but their clash on Sunday June 22nd will be their first in the Championship for 54 years.
Liam Lacey
Liam is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA and Football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also!). Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and International Football offering expert opinion and match previews and predictions. Occasionally even getting some right!