Down v Donegal Prediction, Betting Odds & Tips - (2025) Semi-Final
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| Timetable | 27th April, 15:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Donegal To Win! |
| Odds | 1.10 |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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A bumper weekend of Ulster Football lies ahead as Clones takes centre stage for the semi-final match-ups in the most unforgiving of the provincial football races. All-Ireland champions Armagh renew hostilities with Tyrone on Saturday before Donegal place the Anglo-Celt Cup on the line against Down on Sunday afternoon. Jim McGuinness' Donegal team appears to be making another strong run in the province.
They will be optimistic about their chances of defeating Conor Laverty and his Down team at St. Tiernach's Park, a venue that has become somewhat of a home ground for the Tir Conaill outfit. By late Sunday evening, the 2025 Ulster Football Championship finalists will be known, and we're looking ahead to the clash of Donegal and Down in Clones.
🏆 Down v Donegal Prediction
Down find themselves in the semi-finals of the Ulster SFC for the third year in a row, but it was nearly a leap beyond the Mourne outfit. They were seven points behind late in the second half against a determined Fermanagh team at Brewster Park a week ago. However, a late surge of scores, including goals from Daniel McGuiness and Ryan McEvoy, saw them progress in dramatic style. A day later, Donegal did the opposite, seemingly cruising for long spells before having to repel a late surge from Monaghan in Clones for a two-point win.
It was two paraphrases of Joe Brolly's analysis of McGuinness' Donegal first time around under his tenure, a two-point hammering of sorts as the Tir Conaill side always looked the more likely winners. Down coughed up a lot of goalscoring chances to Fermanagh in Brewster Park, the likes of which Donegal are likely to punish them for. That's why our Down vs Donegal prediction is for the reigning Ulster champions to punch their ticket to another provincial decider. Get up to speed with all the best places for betting on GAA by checking out our sports brands reviews ahead of the Ulster semi-finals weekend.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 DONEGAL TO WIN 🏆
💯 Down v Donegal Betting Odds
Donegal are the reigning Ulster champions and have positioned themselves as second-favourites behind Kerry for All-Ireland glory this summer. It's all a far cry from the spring of 2023, when Down advanced past Donegal in the Ulster quarter-finals at Pairc Esler as interim boss Aidan O'Rourke struggled to steady the Tir Conall ship after Paddy Carr's swift exit. The Donegal pied-piper is back on the touchline, and McGuinness's side are overwhelming favourites according to the latest Down vs Donegal odds on some of the best betting sites in Ireland.
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✔️ Down v Donegal Betting Tips
Donegal looked to be on complete cruise control in the first half against Monaghan last weekend. The Ulster champs impressed with their running game and shooting accuracy as the Farney Army struggled to get to grips. Monaghan hauled themselves back into it after the break, and Gabriel Bannigan's side had chances to force extra-time. Down will do well to pin Donegal to their collar like that. Monaghan won promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz League this spring, while Down were relegated to the third tier. The problems caused by Fermanagh for Laverty's side are worrying. We could witness a big statement from Donegal in terms of scoring power.
That leads neatly to the second of our Down vs Donegal betting tips, which is for over 2.5 goals to be scored in this contest. Donegal have only scored one goal in two games, but Down were exposed by Fermanagh last week with direct running, and Donegal will surely seize on that. Down hit the net twice last weekend and will require goals to stick with Donegal on the scoreboard. Donegal's scoring strength came from deep against Monaghan, with overlapping runners creating difficulties for the opposition. Fermanagh strongly indicated that this strategy could exploit Down, so Ciaran Thompson was brought in to match his impressive quarter-final performance, where he scored five points. It was unfortunate that he didn't receive the Man of the Match award for his contribution.
- Tip 1: Donegal -5.5 points: Down are bound for Division 3 football next season after a poor league effort, and they were fortunate not to come a cropper against Fermanagh last weekend. Donegal are fancied for a big statement here.
- Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals: Down allowed Fermanagh create a host of goalscoring chances in Brewster Park and only had goalkeeper Ronan Burns to thank for keeping them out. Donegal could punish them by rattling the net, and, at the other end, Down are likely to need green flags to stay in touch. They have a good goalscoring track record under Conor Laverty.
- Tip 3: Ciaran Thompson to score over 4.5 points: Ciaran Thompson kicked five points in the win over Monaghan The Glenties ace was perhaps unfortunate not to be named Man of the Match. His excellent season can continue in Clones.
📈 Down Squad Form
Daniel Guinness' late two-pointer was the key score for Down as they overhauled Fermanagh in the last-eight, and the Carryduff clubman helped himself to a goal to record 1-04 on the day. Down will need another big showing from him and goalkeeper Rory Burns. He made at least four super saves last weekend and will be hoping the defence in front of him can put up more resistance against Donegal. Odhrán Murdock and Sean McNally stood out for the Mourne Men last week, and Down will need to bring things up a level against the Ulster champions, or a third successive provincial semi-final loss surely awaits.
⚽ Donegal Squad Form
Donegal would have been happy with much of last weekend's clash with Monaghan, but the Farney side were more adept at taking two-pointers, and that helped drag them back into the game. Jim McGuinness must be thrilled with Michael Murphy's play so far. The 2012 All-Ireland-winning skipper seamlessly fits back in after a stint in retirement. All-Star forward Oisin Gallen has only made two appearances off the bench, while Ciaran Thompson is excelling around the middle of the field for Donegal, and Peadar Mogan continues to look like one of the best footballers in the country. Glenties teenager Finnbarr Roarty is showing why the hype machine got out in front of him, with a high-energy game that covers immense ground.
👕 Down v Donegal Predicted Lineups
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✒️ Down vs Donegal - H2H Stats
Down won the most recent Ulster SFC clash in 2023, but Donegal were in a state of disarray that season and previous Down vs Donegal H2H stats will favour the men from Tir Conaill. Down haven't won an Ulster title since 1994, while Donegal are bidding to hoist the Anglo-Celt for the seventh time since 2011.
🎯 Updates from GAA Twitter (X)
What channel is Down vs Donegal on? All eyes turn towards BBC2 Northern Ireland on Sunday as the Championship team will be on the sidelines in Clones to bring every gripping moment of this Ulster semi-final showdown. With both Ulster semi-finals down for decision this weekend, check out some of these free bets before making your punting picks for the action 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!