Dublin vs Galway Preview
Dublin welcomes Galway to Croke Park in a huge clash in the National Football League. The Division One fixture takes place on March 15th at 7:30 p.m. The Dubs still harbour hopes of breaking into the top two, but they will need to be at their best in this game.
Galway has been the standout team in Division One this season. They bring an undefeated record into this game and sit at the top of the league, level on points with Donegal. Can the Tribesmen continue their unbeaten season in the capital, or will the Boys in Blue bounce back from last week’s disappointment?
Dublin vs Galway Predictions
Correct score prediction: Dublin 1-13 – 1-15 Galway
Dublin has been inconsistent this season. They sit in third place in the table with three wins and two losses. They have recorded victories against Mayo, Kerry, and Derry, but their losses to Donegal and Armagh exposed vulnerabilities. Dublin’s high-intensity style of play is a hallmark, but they have holes in their team that need to be addressed. Their game management has been poor and they have not been clinical enough when presented with scoring chances.
Galway comes into this game in excellent form, sitting at the top of the Division 1 table with an unbeaten record. They have shown impressive consistency with wins over Armagh, Mayo, and Donegal, as well as draws against Tyrone and Derry. The Tribesmen have been particularly strong in attack, led by their key forward, Shane Walsh. They’ve shown great character throughout the season so far and that will serve them well in this highly competitive clash. Our GAA prediction is for Galway to remain undefeated on Saturday with a narrow victory.
There are several key players on both sides in this clash. Shane Walsh has been the lynchpin of Galway’s attack and will feature in a big way here. His ability to score from any distance, create chances for his teammates, and lead by example has made him one of the best forwards in the league. If Dublin is to have any hope of containing Galway’s attack, they will need to find a way to nullify Walsh’s influence on the game.
Dublin boasts an extremely talented attacker of their own in Con O’Callaghan. He has been one of the most potent forwards in Gaelic football in recent years with his pace, skill, and clinical finishing. He will lead their attack here. However, the difference lies in the supporting cast. Galway is more able to spread their scoring throughout their team while O’Callaghan has to pick up a majority of the burden for the Dubs. That will be the difference maker in attack at Croke Park.
Galway’s approach this season has been well-rounded, balancing solid defensive structures with an explosive counter-attacking game. Their ability to switch from defence to attack with speed has caught opponents off guard. They are a team that can hurt you from all areas of the pitch, with players like Walsh and Damien Comer capable of turning a game instantly.
Dublin, traditionally known for fast, attacking football, will need to show more consistency if they are to come out on top. The Dubs will probably rely on their experienced leaders, such as Fenton and O’Callaghan, to drive the team forward. Dublin’s defence has been solid but must tighten up and reduce mistakes to cope with Galway’s attacking threats.
GAA Beo ar @TG4TV 🤩
Clúdach beo den Sraith Peile Allianz Roinn 1 an Sathairn seo 🙌
Tune in this Saturday for the clash of Dublin & Galway 🔥
📆 Dé Sathairn/Saturday
⏰ 19:15
🏐 @DubGAAOfficial v @Galway_GAA #AllianzLeagues #hurling #gaa pic.twitter.com/HWpmPDS6k6— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 12, 2025
One of Dublin’s challenges will be breaking down Galway’s defensive setup. Galway’s defence has been well-organised, and they have been successful in limiting the opposition’s scoring opportunities. Dublin will need to be patient and clinical in their approach, ensuring that they make the most of the chances that come their way. Given they have some of the best GAA footballers of all time in the squad, they can easily do it.
Dublin’s home advantage and ability to perform in high-pressure situations cannot be overlooked. Historically, the Boys in Blue have had the upper hand in recent meetings between the two sides. Galway’s rejuvenated squad under manager Padraic Joyce has shown they can break the capital’s dominance. However, the potential for a psychological edge could be important for the Dubs.
Dublin vs Galway Betting Tips
Dublin enters this game as the narrow favourites with the home advantage, worth 4/5 with our sports betting site. Their recent meetings with Galway will also inform those odds. However, Galway is in excellent form having not lost a game in the National Football League this season.
The Tribesmen’s unbeaten record and how they have gone about it has been extremely impressive. This will be one of their toughest games of the season, but they are playing like champions. We like a bet on Galway, worth 5/4.
Top Scorer
You can also consider betting on individual players. Shane Walsh has been in brilliant form for Galway, with standout displays against Mayo, Derry, and Donegal. He is the main scoring threat for the Tribesmen and is averaging two two-pointers per game this season. His performance will be crucial in this game and he will finish as the top scorer.
Winning Margin
This game is going to be very tightly contested between two of the strongest teams in the league. We are sticking with our prediction for a narrow Galway win and like a bet on the Tribesmen to win by 1-3 points, worth 11/4 for anyone betting on GAA football. If you think Dublin can end Galway’s undefeated streak, a bet on the Boys in Blue to win by the same margin is worth 7/2.
Half-Time/Full-Time
Something that has followed Galway throughout this season is their ability to hang on and fight back. They never truly feel out of a game. They fought back to earn a draw when going behind against Tyrone, and we could see something similar here. A bet on Dublin to lead at half-time and Galway to lead at full-time is worth 9/2.
Dublin vs Galway Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in the National Football League in March 2024. Dublin arrived in a similar vein to what Galway will be on Saturday, entering the match boasting an impressive winning streak. Dublin marched to a commanding victory over Galway at Croke Park. The All-Ireland champions dominated throughout, cruising to a comfortable win after leading 0-10 to 0-06 at halftime. Con O’Callaghan was the standout performer, scoring nine points, including three from play.
Galway, struggling with injuries to key players like Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, and Seán Kelly, failed to find their rhythm. Despite early efforts from Cillian Ó Curraoin, who scored four points, Galway could not keep up with Dublin’s pace. Dublin extended their lead in the second half, outscoring Galway by seven points, with contributions from Ross McGarry, Ciarán Kilkenny, and O’Callaghan. Though Galway battled on, adding four more points, Dublin sealed the win with three unanswered points to end 0-14 – 0-22 in their favour.
Galway last played on March 2nd when they welcomed Tyrone to Tuam Stadium. The Tribesmen salvaged a dramatic draw in a thrilling encounter that ended 1-18 – 1-18. Tyrone looked set for victory when Matty Donnelly’s two-pointer in the final minute gave them the lead, but Shane Walsh had other ideas, securing an equaliser at the death. The first half was evenly contested, with both sides kicking several two-pointers. Tyrone surged early thanks to a goal from Darragh Canavan, but Galway responded well, and the teams went in level at 0-11 to 1-08 at halftime.
The right man at the right time!
Shane Walsh kicked a two-pointer with the last kick of the match to earn a draw against Tyrone in the Allianz Football League Division 1 in Tuam!
📸 @PiarasPOM https://t.co/7SdaBg5nOS pic.twitter.com/HduErVimnO
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) March 2, 2025
In the second half, Tyrone initially pulled ahead by four points, but Galway fought back with a penalty from Walsh and some strong contributions from their forwards. The game remained tight, with both teams exchanging scores. Tyrone regained the lead late, but Walsh’s late heroics ensured Galway remained unbeaten in the league, with the match ending in a dramatic draw.
Dublin played on March 1st, travelling to BOX-IT Athletic Grounds to face Armagh. The Dubs stumbled to a disappointing defeat. The Orchard County dominated from the outset, racing into a commanding 1-9 to 0-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes. A goal from Barry McCambridge and points from Andrew Murnin, Greg McCabe, and Conor Turbitt helped Armagh build a huge advantage, with Oisin O’Neill adding a two-pointer.
Con O’Callaghan ended their scoreless run on 20 minutes, but Armagh continued to press. Dublin showed signs of life, but the first half finished with the hosts in full control at 1-12 – 0-3. After the break, Dublin mounted a strong comeback. O’Callaghan fired over two two-pointers, and Lorcan O’Dell found the net. Dublin added further points through Luke Breathnach and substitutes Kevin Lahiff and Cormac Costello. However, Armagh responded when needed, with McCabe, Darragh McMullen, and Tomas McCormack landing crucial scores to seal an 8-point win and maintain dominance.
Dublin Predicted Lineup
- Predicted Lineup: E Comerford, S MacMahon, T Clancy, D Byrne, G McEneaney, C Murphy, A Gavin, B Howard, T Lahiff, K Lahiff, S Bugler, C Kilkenny, S Lowry, E O’Donnell, and N Scully.
Galway Predicted Lineup
- Predicted Lineup: Connor Gleeson, Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Sean Kelly, Paul Conroy, John Maher, Sam O’Neill, Shane Walsh, Cein Darcy, Cillian Ó Curraoin, Matthew Tierney, and Finnian O Laoi.
Extremely disappointing to see the level of damage caused to Tuam Stadium pitch overnight ⬇️
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station on 093 70840, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. pic.twitter.com/ve8fTPoY9C
— Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) March 12, 2025
Dublin vs Galway News
Galway GAA reported damage to their pitch and stand on Wednesday morning. It appears vandals deliberately drove over the pitch to damage the playing surface. At the time of writing, the game on Saturday night is scheduled to go ahead but keep an eye out for potential changes in the days leading up to the fixture.
