Ulster GAA Football Betting, Odds, Tips & Predictions 2025 

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Author: Enda Mcelhinney,

Ulster football championship Ulster football championship

The Ulster Senior Football Championship dates back to 1888, one of four Gaelic football provincial tournaments alongside Connacht, Leinster and Munster that is played annually. The Ulster Championship is widely considered as the toughest to play in and the hardest to win, with nine counties competing to raise the Anglo Celt Cup and this GAA football guide has all the details about the Ulster SFC.

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Ulster Football Championship Winner – Outright (2025)

The Ulster Championship is rightly perceived as the most competitive provincial championship in the GAA and that is reflected in the latest odds for 2025. Armagh – the reigning All-Ireland champions – are just about favourites at odds of 3.75 at BoyleSports but Derry, Tyrone and reigning Ulster kings Donegal are right behind in the race to win the 2025 Ulster Senior Football Championship.

Team
Ulster football championship Ulster football championship
Ulster football championship Ulster football championship
Armagh3.503.503.753.503.50
Derry6.016.004.006.006.00
Tyrone4.344.304.004.354.35
Donegal4.344.305.004.354.35
Down17.0217.0013.0017.0017.00
Monaghan10.0110.0015.0010.0010.00
Cavan26.0426.0026.0026.0026.00
Antrim67.170.00101.0067.0067.00
Fermanagh67.170.00101.0067.0067.00
  • N.B: Odds are subject to change.

Ulster Football Betting Tips

The Ulster Championship is rightly lauded as one Ireland's most treasured sporting events and this deeply competitive provincial series is sure to provide thrills and spills for punters betting on Ulster Football 2025 season. Here are my Ulster football betting tips.

Back Armagh to win

Armagh and Kieran McGeeney have lost the previous two Ulster Championship finals but, it would be hard to argue, they have probably been the best team in the province in the last couple of years. The Orchard County are consigned to the history books for losing back-to-back penalty shootouts in Clones as first Derry, then Donegal left them utterly deflated but McGeeney and his team went on to recover and win the All-Ireland in 2024, the biggest prize of the lot. That should breed confidence and a first Ulster Senior Football crown since 2008 looks imminent, with Armagh available at 3.75 at Boylesports to reign supreme.

Back Donegal to win

Donegal bainisteoir Jim McGuinness boasts an incredible record in the Ulster Championship, losing only one of the 17 matches he has overseen as boss with the Tir Conaill men. Donegal, the 2024 Ulster football winners, reclaimed the Anglo Celt as McGuinness began his second tenure on the sideline by turning them from also-rans to provincial champions at the first attempt. In his first stint as boss, they won both Ulster and the All-Ireland in year two and so any Ulster football betting prediction for 2025 must take Donegal and McGuinness very seriously at 4.00 at Boylesports.

Back Peadar Mogan as All-Ireland Player of the Year

If Donegal are to be fancied in the Ulster football championship betting, then look out for Peadar Mogan in the race to be Football of the Year in 2025. The St Naul's clubman was twice crowned Player of the Month in 2024 and was favourite to be Football of the Year when Donegal crashed out of the All-Ireland series at the semi-final stage in July. He scored a couple of points in the Ulster final win over Armagh in Clones and kicked 0-5 from play in the All-Ireland Quarter Final win over Louth in Croke Park. Mogan's all action style is ideally suited to the McGuinness game plan and he is well worth looking out for in the 2025 GAA betting.

Who to Bet OnWhy to BetWhich Market?Odds + Bookmaker
ArmaghThe reigning All-Ireland champions may land an overdue Ulster successUlster SFC Outright3.75 at Boylesports
DonegalManager Jim McGuinness has an incredible Ulster record and the provincial desire to go with itUlster SFC Outright4.00 at Boylesports
Peadar MoganDonegal's explosive half-back had a stunning 2024 season and is the type to thrive againFootballer of the Year 2025TDA at Boylesports

Ulster Football Championship Predictions

Billed as the best of the GAA's provincial football championships, the Ulster SFC is a six-week whirlwind of intense and often unpredictable action so if you are betting on Ulster football 2025 season be sure to bookmark this page, and make sure to check this section regularly for your essential Ulster football betting guide.

Armagh v Donegal - Ulster Football FinalsArmagh have lost one of their previous six matches since March 3rd, with their sole defeat coming against Donegal in the National League Division 2 final. But which of these two evenly matched teams will prevail this time around?
Armagh vs Down Semi FinalArmagh vs Down will meet once again in the Ulster Championship semi-final on Saturday, almost 12 months after ‘The Orchard Men’ thumped their rivals by 10 points at St Tiernach's Park. The omens don’t look good for Down after an unconvincing quarter-final win over Antrim, but can they upset the latest football betting odds and gain revenge for their last four defeat in 2023?
Derry v Monaghan Semi-FinalThe semi-final of the 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship will see Derry take on Monaghan, and this is who we think will go on to win.
Derry v Donegal FinalThe final of the 2022 Ulster SFC will see Derry take on Donegal, and here you can find out our prediction of who will win.
2023 Ulster Senior Football Championship WinnerThe Ulster Senior Football Championship final will be played on the 14th of May, and this is who Sheldon Muchmore thinks will go on to win.

Best Ulster Football Championship Betting Sites

There are just eight games – with replays now abolished – involving nine teams to decide the destination of the Ulster SFC annually but it delivers some of the best storylines of the GAA season and these best betting sites will accompany you on the Ulster football journey.

DirectionBet

DirectionBet Sport is an online sports betting operator that brings thousands of betting markets in over 35 sports, esports, and politics – including all the latest GAA sports markets. They offer the latest markets on all major GAA events, including match betting and outright betting. With €100 welcome bonus punters can get off to a flying start, while customers can also look forward to €50 in Freebet Tokens each month and a 50% up to €50 Reload Bonus alongside many other sports betting promotions on site and you can find out more about DirectionBet Sport in our detailed Directionbet review.

Betalright

Betalright Sports Ireland is a new online bookmaker hitting the Irish market. Having launched in 2024, Betalright Sports is one of the newest offering on the market. They offer Enhanced Winnings, a Weekly Reload Bonus system, a Cashback Bonus and Accumulator Boosts up to 100% on winnings. The GAA is one of many sports where markets are offered and all major events are covered. Find out more in our detailed review or consider an account, where first Deposit Bonus 100% up to €250 will get you up and running. “Have a look at our comprehensive Betalright review to learn more.

GoldenBet

Goldenbet Sports is a recently launched online gambling platform boasting an outstanding sportsbook with lots of focus on the Irish market and, with that, the popular GAA sports betting. Goldenbet is committed to revolutionizing sports betting for Irish gamblers by providing 24/7 customer support, a wide range of betting markets, live sports betting and generous offers. New customers with Sports Welcome Bonus 100% up to €500 are set for a fantastic start and you can learn more in detailed review of the Goldenbet brand. Have a look at our comprehensive Goldenbet review to learn more.

LegendPlay

LegendPlay is amongst the relatively recent arrivals within Ireland's online bookmaker space, with their stylish green colour scheme designed to be easy on the eyes and the platform's features which are well organized into sections for easy access. They offer 30+ sports categories including the GAA Football and the expected markets that accompany it. New customers with first deposit bonus 100% up to €250 to get ahead of the game, while the also offer a Weekly Reload Bonus of 25% up to €250, Accumulator Boost up to 100%, Enhanced Winnings and the popular Bore Draw 100% Refund. Learn more about LegendPlay in our comprehensive LegendPlay Sport review.

BoyleSports

Boylesports remains as one of Ireland's bookmaking titans, with a history as the largest independent bookmaker on the Emerald Isle and more than three decades as a reliable and trusted presence in the Irish bookmaking space. New customers with Bet €10 Get €50 in free bet + €10 Casino Bonus are sure of a fine welcome offer. You can also get 25% Boosts on Bet Builders, Get paid out early if your team goes two goals ahead and enjoy Acca Rewards where you can boost your odds or insure the bet if one leg loses. Find out more in our detailed review of this Irish betting icon.

Ulster Football Betting Offers

Ahead of the Ulster GAA senior football championship 2025 why not take a look at some of these free bets as you ponder your options and try to figure out which team will raise the Anglo Celt in Clones.

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Ulster Football Betting Markets

Outright Betting

An outright bet on Ulster Football Championship is aimed at finding the last county standing – the team left holding the Angle Celt Cup after the final in St Tiernach's Park in Clones following one of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups of the GAA season and you can bet on it with

The Over/Under Market

If you are betting on Ulster Championship games, then one of the more popular markets is Over/Under market on – that is the combined number of points/goals registered by both contesting teams, one team on their own, or even individual players totals. This market is handy with if you aren't confident picking a winner.

Odd/Even Final Points Total

One of the more simplistic betting markets on GAA games, this coin-flip market focuses on the total number of points scored in a game landing on an odd or even number and your Ulster Football Championship betting interest is sure to remain in the balance to the wire with this market at

Handicap Betting

In some cases the Ulster football betting odds will heavily favour one team over another, for example if current All-Ireland champions Armagh were facing outsiders like Antrim. In this case the handicap markets at might help punters find a market to suit, by giving a handicap in favour of the underdogs that has a theoretical chance of making it a close contest for betting purposes.

Total Points Over/Under

The Total Points Over/Under market combines the number of scores by both teams to make a total and punters can back over/under this benchmark which is set pre-game by bookmakers. Assessing the type of game your Ulster football betting prediction is looking for and the style of play from the competing teams will inform your decision before betting at BoyleSports in this market.

Ulster Football Championship Schedule 2025

The draw for the 2025 competition is set to take place on October 12th, 2024 from which point GAA fans can begin to dissect the permutations for the next instalment of this Irish sporting tradition and start to consider the best place to bet on the action with our extensive bookmaker reviews.

Preliminary Round

DateTeam 1Team 2Result
TBA TBA TBA TBA

Quarter Finals

DateTeam 1Team 2Result
TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA
TBA TBA TBA TBA

Semi-Finals

DateTeam 1Team 2Result
TBA TBATBATBA
TBA TBATBATBA

Final

DateTeam 1Team 2Result
TBASemi-Final 1 WinnerSemi-Final 2 WinnerTBA

Ulster Football Championship Format

The Ulster SFC follows a very simple format. There are nine competing counties and they play a straight knockout competition. The opening game is a preliminary round, with two competing teams drawn at random from the nine. The entire championship draw is completed at once, with four quarter-final pairings as well as the semi-finals match-ups determined. Each match is straight knockout, with extra-time and penalties to decide a winner now having replaced the old replay system of bygone days. The winner is the team left standing after the Ulster Final in Clones.

History - Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship

The first Ulster Senior Football Championship took place way back in 1888 and it has been a constant on the Irish sporting calendar since 1901. Cavan and Monaghan had a stranglehold early on, winning every title from 1914-1945 between them. As a result, Cavan (40) remains as the most successful county of all time, though they have only triumphed twice since 1969. Monaghan's most recent Anglo Celt came in 2015 and their tally of 16 is now equalled by Tyrone, with Armagh (14), Down (12), Donegal (11), Antrim (10) and Derry (9) behind them. Fermanagh remains as the only Ulster county without a provincial success and they lost the most recent of six finals in 2018. The 2024 Ulster SFC was blown open when Donegal eliminated two-time defending champions and favourites Derry at Celtic Park in the quarter-finals. Jim McGuinness' team went on to lift the cup at Clones, defeating Armagh on penalties after extra-time. Both the 2023 and 2024 finals were settled on penalties – the only times it has ever occurred as replays were commonplace until recently– and Kieran McGeeney's Armagh were the unlucky losers in both instances after games they probably should have won before the dreaded shootout.

Ulster GAA Senior Football Roll of Honour

Cavan's prowess in the early 20th century means they stand tall as the most successful Ulster SFC county of all but the modern games have been dominated by the likes of Tyrone, Armagh, Donegal and Derry and they remain key teams when betting on Ulster Championship glory.

TeamNumber of TitlesYears Won
Cavan401891, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1915, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922,[note 2] 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1997, 2020
Monaghan161888, 1906, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1921, 1922, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1938, 1979, 1985, 1988, 2013, 2015
Tyrone161956, 1957, 1973, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2021
Armagh141890, 1902, 1950, 1953, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
Down121959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1991, 1994
Donegal101972, 1974, 1983, 1990, 1992, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2024
Derry91958, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1987, 1993, 1998, 2022, 2023
Fermanagh0N/A
About us

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!

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