Timetable | 13th July, 16:00 GMT |
Prediction | Donegal To Win! |
Odds | |
Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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A place in the showpiece occasion of the GAA season is up for grabs ahead of the Donegal v Meath semi-final in the All-Ireland SFC 2025 at Croke Park on Sunday, July 13th. The Royals have been the surprise package of the summer so far, taking the scalps of Dublin, Kerry, and Galway en route to their first semi-final appearance since 2009.
Donegal are into back-to-back All-Ireland semi-finals as Jim McGuinness targets Sam Maguire glory in his second season, just as he did with the Tír Chonaill side in his first stint as boss in 2012. The biggest 70 minutes of their season now stand between these sides and an All-Ireland final against Kerry or Tyrone.
Read on for our Donegal v Meath prediction, and consider checking out our sportsbook reviews for the best places to place your GAA bets.
🏆 Donegal vs Meath Prediction
At the start of the season, Donegal v Meath 2025 certainly didn’t look like an All-Ireland semi-final pairing but that’s exactly where we are. The Royals famously ended Dublin’s long reign in the Leinster Championship, inflicting a first provincial loss on the Boys in Blue since 2010. Meath, however, were edged out by Louth in the final.
Donegal, for their part, secured back-to-back Ulster SFC titles after holding off Armagh in a dramatic extra-time clash in Clones. They’ve been touted as potential All-Ireland contenders since falling narrowly to Galway at this stage last year.
The return of Michael Murphy has reinforced that status, and they're fancied to reach their first All-Ireland final since 2014 as reflected in the odds from top Irish bookmakers, who make them strong favourites to overcome Meath.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 Donegal TO WIN 🏆
💯 Donegal vs Meath Betting Odds
Donegal are heavy favourites for this semi-final showdown, but they won’t take anything for granted after surviving a scare in the quarter-finals against Monaghan. The Tír Chonaill side have experience and composure on their side, but Meath are an emerging force under Robbie Brennan and can’t be written off. They were major underdogs against Galway but still found a way through.
The latest Donegal v Meath betting odds suggest the Royals will need to dig deep again to derail the McGuinness bandwagon. There are plenty of free bet offers to explore ahead of All-Ireland SFC semi-final weekend at Croke Park.
✔️ Donegal vs Meath Betting Tips
Donegal pulled off a remarkable comeback in the quarter-finals, overturning a seven-point half-time deficit to beat Monaghan by six. McGuinness’ men have had stuttering spells this season, but also unleashed periods of pure dominance. They have the experience, running power, and tactical acumen to withstand Meath’s growing threat.
Michael Langan was outstanding in the second half, scoring 1-03 as the Creeslough man marked his 100th senior appearance in style. Now in his eighth season, Langan is enjoying a career-best campaign and could lead from the front once again.
This season’s rule changes have increased goal tallies, with turnovers and kickout errors often punished swiftly as Donegal’s Shaun Patton discovered against Monaghan.
Meath’s clash with Galway was tame early on, but burst into life late, with four goals scored once the intensity ramped up. Donegal’s deep runners could exploit space if the game opens, but they’ve also allowed several goal chances this season.
- Tip 1: Donegal -2.5 points: Despite trailing Monaghan, Donegal ended up six-point winners, with nine different scorers, eight of them striking more than once. In contrast, only Jordan Morris and Mathew Costello scored more than once for Meath against Galway. Donegal should pull clear on the scoreboard over 70 minutes.
- Tip 2: Michael Langan to be Man of the Match: Langan's century milestone was marked with a standout goal and late long-range point. In top form, the St Michael’s star could be pivotal again and is a strong candidate for Man of the Match.
- Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals: Galway scored two goals in four minutes against Meath. Donegal’s pace and power could break open Meath’s defence, while Meath have attacking threats of their own. Over 2.5 goals at a price of 2.04 at DirectionBet looks a smart bet and completes our Donegal v Meath betting tips.
⚽ Donegal Squad Form
Jim McGuinness has guided Donegal back to the brink of an All-Ireland final. The parallels with his first tenure are striking: in 2011, they lost a semi-final to Dublin before lifting Sam Maguire in 2012.
Last year’s narrow defeat to Galway still stings, but now they’re out to go one better and set up a final with either Kerry, who beat them in 2014, or neighbours Tyrone.
Winning Ulster again was the first target, and McGuinness has made no secret that 2025 is phase two: All-Ireland or bust. The reemergence of the inspirational Michael Murphy has proved a masterstroke, and the former captain could be Footballer of the Year if Donegal go all the way on July 27th.
Donegal’s immense running game which is powered by Finbarr Roarty, Ciaran Moore, and Peadar Mogan will test Meath. McGuinness’ biggest selection call may be whether to start captain Paddy McBrearty, who impressed off the bench last time. Oisin Gallen’s youth and mobility could see him get the nod again, with the Kilcar veteran held in reserve.
⚽Meath Squad Form
Robbie Brennan’s Meath side continue to defy expectations. Their seismic victory over Dublin in Leinster was a milestone, though they contrived to lose the provincial final to Louth, ending a 68-year wait for the Wee County.
A commanding win over Kerry sent Meath straight to the quarter-finals, where many expected Galway to breeze through. Instead, the Royals had other ideas. Jordan Morris starred with 1-06 in a gutsy win at Croke Park, especially impressive after Galway turned a six-point deficit into a three-point lead with 2-03 unanswered.
Just when it seemed Meath’s run was over, they dug deep and edged it by a single point.
Man of the Match Morris was outstanding in the closing stages, helped by Mathew Costello and Conor Gray. Eoghan Frayne has also become a central figure, and Meath will need all three to rise to the occasion once again.
👕 Donegal vs Meath Predicted Lineups
With plenty of action expected from both squads, here are our predicted lineups ahead of Sunday’s clash at Croke Park:
6-2-6
6-2-6
6-2-6
6-2-6
✒️ Donegal vs Meath - H2H Stats
Donegal v Meath All-Ireland football H2H records show that Donegal have beaten Meath in three of four championship meetings, with the Royals' sole triumph coming back in the 1990 All-Ireland semi-final.
Since then, the Tír Chonaill men have enjoyed qualifier wins in 2002 and 2017, as well as a 2019 All-Ireland group stage victory in Ballybofey, giving the Ulster side the edge in this match.
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!