Derry vs Dublin Allianz FL Division 1 Final Preview
It’s the final of the Allianz FL Division 1, and Derry vs Dublin is the decider. The match takes place at the legendary Croke Park at 4 pm on Sunday, March 31. Gaelic football fans are in for a treat with the Division One and Two finals airing on TG4.
Derry had a fantastic National Football League campaign, and they topped the division with 12 points. Dublin started the season poorly but finished with a five-game winning streak, including a crucial victory over Derry in round five. The Oak Leafers responded well to maintain the top spot in the division, but none of that matters now. Who will win the Allianz Division One Final this weekend?
Derry vs Dublin Allianz FL Division 1 Final Key Stats
Derry is making a habit of facing off against Dublin. This fixture is an exact replay of the NFL Division Two Final from 2023. That game was not close, and the Dubs decimated Derry’s dream of lifting the title thanks to goals from Mannion, Small, O’Gara, and O’Dell. Derry had the lead at halftime but fell apart in the second 35, conceding four goals. You could pin the capitulation on star player Conor Glass’ injury just after the restart, but they can’t rely on just one player this Sunday. The entire team must step up to have a chance against the boys in blue.
When the teams faced off this season, Dublin was the worthy winner. The sides went blow for blow in Derry on March 2nd, and the Dubs handed the Oak Leafers their only defeat. Dublin started the game with fantastic passing, registering a four-point lead until Derry responded. Conor McCluskey ran in behind a sleeping Dublin defence and finished brilliantly to put his side back in the game.
It was 1-04 to 0-09 at halftime, and both clubs scored several points after the restart. Dublin found a way through the stout Derry defence to increase their advantage. Cormac Costello eventually scored after they saved the initial shot on the line. It finished 1-11 to 1-16 in a brilliant match of Gaelic football.
Having already lost to Dublin once this campaign, and in the final last year, the Oak Leafers will want revenge. The question remains, will Dublin give them the chance to get a well-deserved NFL title? Looking at the stats this season, only one team scored more points across the seven games than Derry, the Boys in Blue. Derry has the best defensive record in the league, but can they perform when a title is on the line?
Derry vs Dublin Allianz FL Division 1 Final Predictions
Prediction: Derry 2-14 to 1-19 Dublin
Derry has been fantastic across the Allianz FL season, but a cup-final victory against the Dubs is a big ask. Dublin has the experience and personnel to navigate a cagey final and should see out the victory. Derry will make it hard for the Boys in Blue, but we predict a two-point winning margin for Dublin at the final whistle.
Predicting any GAA fixture is difficult, let alone a cup final. Crazy things happen in cup finals, so you must prepare for anything. Whether it’s an injury to a star player or a melee where players see red, the NFL final brings out a lot of emotions. Live betting on this match will be troublesome, but there are plenty of winning predictions if you know where to look.
In the last meeting between the clubs, Costello and McCluskey scored the goals. We all know what a dangerous player Cormac Costello is, but the young Conor McCluskey could be a big game player. He looked like the most dangerous man on the pitch when the sides faced off a month ago in the league. No doubt he will find another gear this weekend.
Other players that might make a difference include Brian Fenton. The wily veteran is one of the best GAA football players of all time for a good reason. He knows how to win. We expect Fenton will be at the heart of some points, and McCluskey will find the back of the net again.
PREVIEW: Senior Footballers set to battle it out with Derry in Allianz League Final this Sunday 👕#UpTheDubs https://t.co/wqlasLzOwJ
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) March 28, 2024
Betting on the Dubs is the safest option this week. Although Derry had a better season overall, Dublin knows how to get a job done. They finished the season with a five-game winning streak, which will continue Sunday. Derry is a great team to watch, they will fall short of the Allianz Division One Final.
Derry vs Dublin Allianz FL Division 1 Final Betting Tips
Betting on any Gaelic football match is tricky, but a final adds more pressure. What if both teams hold back in the opening exchanges? That rules out the possibility of a high-scoring match. This week, betting on the winner is more of a 50-50 than our online sports betting site would suggest. Little splits the teams as either has the credentials to win on the day.
Instead, you can look at alternative markets with less risk involved. One market to consider is choosing which half will contain the most points. We predict the second half will see both teams drop defensive tactics as they push for the win. You can also bet on the first team to score a goal. It would shock us if there were no goals in this final. We expect Derry will get the first and second goals before Dublin responds.
As this is a cup final, making your standard wagers is often not worthwhile. The possibility of extra time can destroy a lot of bets, so give a draw some thought before placing a wager. If you are worried about the risk, new players can often make wagers using a welcome bonus. When you sign up for Novibet, your first bet is usually free, meaning you can bet on the final without worrying about losing money.
If you are looking at player prop bets for this fixture, there are two players we want to highlight. For betting on Derry, look at Shane McGuigan to score five or more points in the final. It could be a big ask, but McGuigan has been a standout for The Oak Leafers all season.
When betting on Dublin, there are a few players to consider. Our pick is for Ciaran Kilkenny, even though he was not on the scoresheet against Tyrone in Round Seven of the NFL. Kilkenny exploited the space provided by Dublin’s intricate passing when Dublin last faced Derry a month ago. He scored four points in that game, and we predict he will get at least three this weekend.
