Dublin vs Kerry Prediction: Preview, Odds & Betting Tips (2026)
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| Timetable | 12th July, 16:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Kerry To Win! |
| Odds | |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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Another chapter of Dublin vs Kerry awaits Gaelic Football fans on July 12th as the great rivals meet in the second of the 2026 All-Ireland SFC semi-finals at Croke Park. Dublin have shocked many by getting this far, while Kerry look like they are primed to try and win back-to-back All-Irelands for the first time since 2007.The eagerly anticipated match is due to throw in at 16:00 GMT on Sunday, July 12th, with Brendan Cawley the referee appointed to the game. The match will be aired live on RTÉ and BBC NI with a full house of around 82,000 expected at GAA HQ.
In this Dublin v Kerry preview we will take you through everything you need to know ahead of the match. From the latest match odds to the possible lineups both might start, to some Dublin v Kerry tips, we have you covered. We will also give you our own Dublin v Kerry prediction, so read on as we look forward to a fantastic weekend of football at Croke Park.
🥇 Dublin vs Kerry Prediction
Con O'Callaghan vs David Clifford and Paudie Clifford vs Niall Scully. These are just two of the fascinating subplots to what will hopefully be an absolute classic when the most famous rivalry in GAA is renewed on July 12th. Old rivals Dublin and Kerry meet with a place in the 2026 All-Ireland final against either Mayo or Louth up for grabs. Dublin have been revitalised in the latter half of this year’s championship, with manager Ger Brennan’s return to the sideline after his suspension coinciding with three great wins over Cavan, Donegal and Galway. Their wins over Donegal and Galway in particular have surprised many, with the 31-time All-Ireland champions now just one win away from another All-Ireland final appearance. Standing in their way, however, are their great adversaries, the current All-Ireland champions, Kerry.
Jack O'Connor's team have bounced back from a loss to Donegal to march into this All-Ireland semi-final, with victories over Kildare, Armagh and Tyrone marking them down as the deserved favourites to win back-to-back All-Irelands this year. Their attacking flair and scarily good forward options mean they are deserved favourites, and we think that scoring potential is what will seal it for them against Dublin; therefore, our Dublin v Kerry GAA football prediction is for a Kerry win.
The forwards on show at Croke Park on July 12th mean we could be in for a shootout between these two old foes, with the new rules contributing to what could be the game of the year. The defensive frailties mean both can be got at, as proved in their quarter-final wins, while the midfield battle could prove to be the winning of the match for either side. Kerry now have a dominant middle third with Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien, Joe O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Connor all capable of claiming the ball, while for Dublin, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard and Theo Clancy will be the men charged with providing the platform for their star-studded forward line to win the match for Ger Brennan's team.
Both teams have forward lines littered with All-Star winners, and both have generational talents in David Clifford and Con O’Callaghan. Kerry look like they are developing a mentality that can get them over the line even if they are not at their best, however, and that added strength may just be enough to get the defending champions over the line by a couple of points.
OUR PREDICTION: KERRY TO WIN
🧨 Dublin vs Kerry Betting Odds
When we look at the current Dublin v Kerry betting odds, we can see that Kerry, the defending All-Ireland champions, are favourites to get through this clash with Dublin and set up an All-Ireland final with either Mayo or Louth.
Some of the top GAA betting sites have priced Jack O’Connor’s team up at between 1.39 and 1.40, while Dublin are available at a price of around 3.50 to cause something of an upset.
Below you will find the latest Dublin v Kerry odds with a selection of the sportsbooks available to Irish betting fans.
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⚡⚡ Dublin vs Kerry Betting Tips
At this stage of our Dublin v Kerry preview we are going to give you three Dublin v Kerry betting tips that may be useful to those looking for the best Dublin v Kerry bets ahead of the match on July 12th or those with some free bet offers to use on the game.
Before having a bet on this clash or any of the remaining matches in this year’s championships, why not first check out our dedicated sportsbook review page? Here, lots of extra info about any of the Irish bookmakers reviewed by our team can be found.
- Tip 1: Total Goals: Over 2.5 goals: Given the calibre of forward players that will take to the field on July 12th, it will be no surprise to see plenty of goalmouth action. The teams have scored 19 goals between them during the championship, and if you fancy them to add more to their collection at Croke Park, you can currently get a goto festiveplay-sport [price of 1.80 with Festivalplay]* on there being over 2.5 goals in this Dublin v Kerry clash.
- Tip 2: David Clifford to score a goal anytime: The championship’s top scorer has hit a whopping 5-39 during the 2026 All-Ireland championship. His 1-8 against Tyrone was vital as the Ulster side pushed the defending All-Ireland champions all the way in the quarter-final. If Kerry are to get over their great rivals and seal their place in a second successive All-Ireland final, Clifford will have to be at the top of his game, but given his history on big days, he invariably will be. To back Clifford to raise a green flag, you can back him at a price of 1.80 with BoyleSports.
- Tip 3: Con O’Callaghan anytime goalscorer: The Cuala man makes such a difference to the Dublin team. His leadership, undoubted skill and immense scoring threat mean that if he is fit and firing, this Dublin team can never be ruled out. He has scored 4-25 so far this season, and the Dubs will need him to fire if they are to reach the decider.
To back O’Callaghan to score a goal, you can get a price of 2.63 with BoyleSports on him scoring a goal at any stage of the semi-final.
✨ Dublin Squad Form
What a turnaround it has been for the Dubs. After their back-to-back losses against Westmeath and Louth, few would have expected them to be in the last four of this year’s championship. Credit must go to the players and management, though, as they secured wins over Cavan and Donegal before coming back from 6 points down to beat Galway in their quarter-final.
Con O’Callaghan has been monumental in their revival, showing the kind of scoring form that can worry any defence, while Niall Scully is having his best season in a Dublin jersey, orchestrating the team’s offensive strategy. Some of the newer players like Charlie McMorrow and Eoin Kennedy have been impressive, while veterans of many All-Ireland’s like Brian Howard, Ciarán Kilkenny and Davy Byrne look revitalised under Ger Brennan’s stewardship.
🪄 Kerry Squad Form
Kerry have been impressive in how they have regrouped after their drubbing at the hands of Donegal in the first round of the All-Ireland series. Since that loss they have defeated Kildare, Armagh and Tyrone by a combined total of 31 points.
Their victory over Tyrone after a titanic tussle at GAA HQ should bring them on, as they were able to get more game time into the likes of Gavin White and Seán O’Shea, while Dylan Geaney once again showed his Footballer of the Year credentials by hitting 0-8 points.
As always, David Clifford was a difference maker, and if Clifford, along with the likes of Paudie Clifford, Geaney and Seán O’Shea, can fire together against Dublin, they could be hard to stop.
🔮 Dublin vs Kerry Predicted Lineups
With regard to the potential Dublin v Kerry lineups, below we have listed the starting teams both Ger Brennan and Jack O’Connor sent out in their respective quarter-final victories over Galway and Tyrone.
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⚡⚡ Dublin vs Kerry - H2H Stats
Without doubt one of the most storied rivalries in GAA, the Dublin v Kerry All-Ireland H2H record is legendary. They have met in 17 All-Ireland finals, including a replay in 2019, with Kerry leading the overall H2H, 18-12. There have also been three draws. Below you can see the stats from their last 3 championship meetings.
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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!