Donegal v Derry Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds [2025]
| Timetable | Sunday 6th April, 14:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Donegal To Win! |
| Odds | 1.22 |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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The Ulster Senior Football Championship is the shining light of the provincial series and that is highlighted clearly here as Donegal welcome Derry to Ballybofey on Sunday April 6th for a blockbuster clash. This game signals the start of the Championship season for real, and one of these major forces is going to be dealt an early blow. They've won the last three Ulster crowns between them but it is Donegal that arrive into this tie on the up, impressing in the Allianz League while Derry were relegated from Division 1.
With the inspirational Michael Murphy now re-integrated amongst the squad, it will take something special to halt Donegal on their own patch. Read on for our Donegal v Derry prediction and the latest odds from some of the best betting sites in Ireland.
🏆 Donegal vs Derry Prediction
Donegal were significant underdogs when these teams met at the quarter-final stage of the Ulster SFC a year ago, but returning manager Jim McGuinness got one over on Mickey Harte as the league champions were stunned at Celtic Park. It signalled the beginning of the end for Harte's short stint as Derry boss, with his side toiling thereafter, while Donegal won their 11th Ulster title by defeating Armagh on penalties before going to the All-Ireland semi-finals and getting pipped by Galway in a game the will feel they should have won.
Roles are reversed a year on, Derry now venturing across the border to face their neighbours as underdogs. The Oak Leaf county were relegated from Division 1 with a whimper, while Donegal excelled in the opening weeks before allowing themselves to coast home and avoid the Croke Park final, which came seven days ahead of this far more pressing concern. The Tir Conaill side have executed a perfect preparation and while Derry won at this venue in the summer of 2022, things have altered dramatically since and a repeat looks unlikely.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 DONEGAL TO WIN 🏆
💯 Donegal vs Derry Betting Odds
Donegal have emerged as real contender for All-Ireland glory this season as McGuinness looks to replicate his first stint in charge by hoisting Sam Maguire in year two. Derry meanwhile have fallen back into the pack across 12 worrying months since this same opposition upstaged them at Celtic Park and it's not hard to see why the hosts are favoured by the odds-compilers in the Donegal v Derry odds. Why not get geared up for the GAA season by checking out our sports brands reviews for all the major firms.
And if you are pondering what channel is Donegal v Derry on? Fear not, both RTE and BBC will have live terrestrial coverage of this opening Ulster Senior Football Championship tussle.
✔️ Donegal vs Derry Betting Tips
- Tip 1: Donegal -2 handicap: The home side should be too good for struggling Derry:
Donegal won by six points when these sides met in the Ulster Championship last season but they scored four goals in doing so, and three-pointers were much less commonplace for McGuiness' in what followed last summer. Derry's dismal league form means they are underdogs, but Ulster football doesn't always rely heavily on the formbook and a wide-margin win, for either side, would be a shock. Donegal should emerge with daylight however, so take the hosts to overcome a two-point handicap as part of our Donegal v Derry betting tips.
- Tip 2: Ciaran Moore anytime goalscorer: The St Eunan's man is getting a license to roam forward this season:
Ciaran Moore enjoyed a breakout season in a Donegal jersey last summer and the St Eunan's clubman continues to excel. McGuinness has largely used him further up the field through the league and his strong running power means he could be an unlikely goalscorer and a great angle for any free bets offered for this Ulster tussle.
- Tip 2: Conor Glass to score three or more points: Despite Derry's dismal spring, the Glen man keeps on excelling:
Conor Glass can hold his head high despite Derry's capitulation in the league. He scored eight points at Celtic Park as Mayo sent them down, and hit six more a fortnight ago in the hefty loss to Armagh. He's a phenomenal player and can land at least three points in Ballybofey.
⚽ Donegal Squad Form
Early spring wins over Dublin, Armagh and Kerry left Donegal in quite the predicament in the Allianz League and boss McGuinness made little secret of the fact he didn't have any real desire to reach the Division 1 final in Croke Park, coming as it did, a week before this seismic Ulster showdown with Derry.
Donegal duly appeared to apply the handbrake in their closing fixtures, already with their eyes fixed on this game. Michael Murphy has been finding his place back in the panel but the 2012 All-Ireland winning captain may settle for a place on the bench here. McGuinness treats the Ulster Championship like a Holy Grail and he will have everything set to the minute for this showdown in MacCumhaill Park.
⚽ Derry Squad Form
New Derry boss Paddy Tally didn't have any such luxuries during a dispiriting league camping that saw his side pick up just one point from seven games, that coming only as they battled back late on at home to a Galway side that took their eyes off the ball. Their final prep for this contest saw Derry hammered by All-Ireland champions Armagh a fortnight ago. One man has continued to shine, despite the results, and a big showing from Conor Glass will surely be needed if Derry are to prevail here.
👕 Donegal vs Down Predicted Lineups
Donegal begin the defence of their Ulster title by hosting Derry in Ballybofey in the preliminary round. It's a reverse of last year's quarter-final when the Foylesiders had home advantage and were expected to progress, but Donegal ambushed them.
Home boss Jim McGuinness enjoyed a satisfying Allianz League campaign, including reintroducing talisman Michael Murphy to the panel after a two-year hiatus, though the Glenswilly veteran may settle for a role off the bench here. Paddy Tally meanwhile saw his new Derry side relegated from Division 1 after failing to win any of their seven game this spring and the Oak Leaf side are heading into the lion's den now with confidence low.
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✒️ Donegal vs Derry - H2H Stats
Derry won back-to-back Ulster titles in 2022 and 2023, including turning over a more fancied Donegal side at Clones to claim their first provincial crown since 1993. Their hopes of three-in-a-row were dashed last spring as Jim McGuinness' return to the Donegal hotseat saw his side stun the Mickey Harte-led Derry in Celtic Park with a four-goal salvo before the Tir Conaill side went on to win their 11th Ulster title having turned around the recent Donegal v Derry H2H stats.
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The Ulster SFC is the jewel in the crown for the GAA's provincial series' and it typically generates fierce battles as the teams battle to make the Ulster Final in Clones.
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!