Derry vs Roscommon Preview
It’s the final round of the Allianz Football League, and all four Division One matches take place on Sunday, March 24, at 1:45 pm. The NFL group stage is ending, and our focus this week is on Derry vs Roscommon. After six rounds of fixtures, Derry is the league leader with a two-point advantage over anyone else. Roscommon is second from the bottom and has a small glimmer of hope to avoid relegation.
Derry bounced back last week at Mayo to maintain the number one spot in Division One. Dublin and Kerry remain two points behind with only one game to play. Roscommon is without a win since round four, the only victory they have picked up all season. This week is vital for both clubs, as one team can secure the top spot, and the other could play in Division Two next campaign.
Derry vs Roscommon Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Historically, Derry vs Roscommon is not a common occurrence. In the National Football League, the last time these two GAA clubs were in the same division was in 2022. Before that, they did an incredible job of achieving promotion and relegation simultaneously to avoid any matches. Looking at the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the two sides have not faced off for several years.
The last time these teams faced off was in round five of the 2022 NFL season in Division Two. Both teams pushed for promotion, and Derry was unbeaten after four games. Roscommon had also avoided defeat in the season after previously drawing to Clare. This match proved crucial as Roscommon finished first in the league table, and Derry came third.
The match occurred on March 13, 2022, at the Dr Hyde Park stadium. Both clubs showed grit as the referee, Sean Lonergan, administered 18 cards across the game. But there was nothing to separate the sides at a full-time. Derry started brightly and took an early lead in the first half. The hosts hit back with several unanswered points to lead by four at halftime. Roscommon dominated in the second half, stretching the lead to six points. However, the tide turned in Derry’s favour, and that’s when the cards came out.
#Rosgaa pic.twitter.com/w0558lJXOI
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) March 13, 2022
The turning point was a poor decision from the referee not to play advantage when Cathal Heneghan slipped through on the goal. From there Cian McKeon picked up a black card, and the Roscommon defence came crashing down. The player’s tempers were running high, and many took any opportunity to skirmish towards the end of the game. Derry looked likely to win the match with all the discipline issues, but Roscommon’s Keith Doyle levelled the game once again. Niall Daly and Shane McGuigan received a second yellow card, plus Brian Stack got a black card. With the usual kick-takers off the field, Emmet Bradley had Derry’s last kick of the game, a 45-meter free. Unfortunately, his shot went wide, and the final score was 12 apiece.
Games with 14 yellow, two red, and two black cards are not common in the GAA. However, this battle will be in the minds of the fans, coaching staff, and most players. When the teams last met, it was for the fight into Division One. Now that both teams are in the top flight of Gaelic football, this game can have disastrous effects on either side. If Roscommon wins, they can help take the chance of the NFL title away from Derry. But if Derry wins, they condemn the Rossies to Division Two football.
Predicting Gaelic football matches has been incredibly exciting this year. Roscommon has been poor, losing four of the six matches played. It is unlikely that even with a win, they can avoid relegation, but they have a better point difference than Galway. Derry has looked immense for most of this season. They have only lost one game, and a win on the weekend guarantees a spot in the NFL Final 2024.
Derry vs Roscommon Predictions
Prediction: Derry 1-18 to 0-15 Roscommon
Even though Roscommon’s future in the division is precarious, they will give it their all to ruin the Derry party. However, getting a result against the league leaders on their patch is a step too far for the team in the relegation zone. We predict Derry will manage a lead throughout the match and score the only goal. The hosts will win by at least six points at the final whistle.
The question this week is not who is going to win. Instead, everyone should ask how much. Derry has played sublimely throughout the 2024 NFL group stage, winning five out of six matches. The only loss came at the hands of Dublin in round five. Since then, they easily dispatched Mayo in a scintillating game that contained five goals. Roscommon played admirably at home to Kerry in round six, but that is one of the few highlights of a dismal campaign. The Rossies won’t give up, but they need luck and a stellar performance to avoid relegation.
If you bet on this Gaelic football match, consider the league form. It would be a monumental shock for a team like Roscommon to get a result against Derry on Sunday. The last time these teams played in 2022, it was an incredible match. Both teams were fighting for the top spots, and ill-discipline nearly cost both sides the points. A draw was a fair result, but both teams played poorly.
We expect some similarities to the last match, as there will be some yellow and a GAA black card. However, with a lot on the line, if either side gets a red this weekend, it will probably mean game over. If Derry picks up the red card, they have the confidence to play out the match and even take all the points ahead of Roscommon. If the away side goes down to 14, expect the team to crumble and the points to tumble in. Live betting on this match will be difficult, as there won’t be a lot to be made on the home side. Placing a bet on the away team is not worth it, as they have little to no chance of winning this game.
Derry vs Roscommon Betting Tips
If you are yet to bet on Gaelic football this season, this is one of your best chances to dive in. With each match taking place simultaneously, these games will determine who plays in what division next year. Plenty of GAA action will come over the next few months, but this is one of the first big GAA events in 2024. The winners this week will fight it out for the NFL title.
Derry will be the favourite to win this game. Not only are they first in the league table, but Roscommon has only picked up three points this season. If Roscommon beats Derry, they could still play their football in Division Two next season. Betting Derry to win is the most sensible move, but it will also be the least profitable. Instead, you must look at different markets to determine what bet is worth placing.
Betting on the home team to score first is a suitable alternative in this football match. Derry found the back of the net three times in their last match against Mayo. At the time, Mayo had one of the most impressive defensive records in the league. Plus, scoring goals won’t be a problem for Derry in front of a raucous home crowd. We predict that Oak Leaf County will score the first goal in this fixture on Sunday. Plus, if both sides stay at 15 men each, this is the type of game to only see one goal scored across the 70 minutes.
As this is the final round of group games in the Allianz Football League, now is the perfect time to place a sports bet. If this is your first GAA bet of the season, consider signing up for Novibet. All new members receive a welcome bonus to help you sample our sports betting site. Using your bonus on your first bet is a great way to sample Gaelic football betting for the first time.
Remember, Derry is the clear favourite to win on Sunday against Roscommon. Not only are they the hosts, but they have the advantage of playing better football all season. If you bet on Gaelic football, ensure you take your time to find the right wager. An outright prediction looks like the safest bet this weekend but it will have the lowest returns.
