Dublin vs Mayo Preview
The National Football League kicks off on January 25th as Dublin and Mayo clash on the opening day of the season at 7:30 pm. Several Dublin players come into this game fresh off a championship-winning season in the Club championship.
Mayo had a respectable season in 2024, going undefeated against Dublin in their two meetings. Can the Dubs gain some revenge to set the tone for the season, or will Mayo continue their undefeated streak against the most dominant county of the last decade?
Dublin vs Mayo Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last clashed in Division 1 of the NFL last season on February 3rd at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar. Mayo edged the dubs in an exciting, back-and-forth game, winning 1-12 – 0-14. That was a huge victory over the 31-time All-Ireland Senior football champions. Fergal Boland was the hero for the home side, shooting the winning point four minutes into added time.
Dublin was in the driver’s seat early, leading 06 – 0-2 after 21 minutes. However, a resilient Mayo bounced back with four consecutive points from Ryan O’Donoghue, Paul Towey, and Bob Tuohy. After a tied score at halftime, Dublin regained the lead. However, Mayo showed resilience again, jumping in front with a score of 1-9 to 0-11. They continued to graft for the rest of the game and saw the result over the line.
They also met later on in the season in the group stages of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. It was yet another entertaining affair as both sides battled to a 0-17 – 0-17 draw. Cormac Costello and Ryan O’Donoghue starred in the meeting, scoring seven apiece for Dublin and Mayo, respectively.
Dublin had a strong season in Division One, winning five and losing just two to reach the NFL Final against first-placed Derry. We saw one of the most entertaining finals in NFL history as both sides exchanged punches, entering halftime deadlocked. After 70 minutes, the score remained tied at 1-18 to 2-15. It took penalties to decide a winner as Dublin fell agonisingly short by missing three in the shootout at Croke Park.
The Dubs had a shock exit in the All-Ireland Senior Championship later in the year. They topped the group after thrashing Roscommon and Cavan but only managed a draw with Mayo. That sent them through to the quarter-finals automatically, where they had a favourable draw against Galway. However, the Tribesmen sent them packing in a 0-16 – 0-17 defeat.
Mayo had a decent campaign in 2024. However, they missed out on an appearance in the NFL final for the first time since their promotion to Division One in 2022. Mayo completed a famous win over Dublin and an impressive thrashing of Roscommon, ending the season in fourth place on eight points. Most of their troubles came in defence. They allowed 105 points, their highest total since their 2020 relegation season.
They narrowly missed out on a bye to the quarter-final in the All-Ireland Championship group stage, finishing second behind Dublin on point difference. The Westerners played a preliminary round match, where Derry agonisingly eliminated them. The score was tied at 1-12 – 0 – 15, but Mayo were knocked out after losing 4-3 on penalties.
Dublin vs Mayo Prediction
Correct score prediction: Dublin 1-13 – Mayo 0-13
Mayo will need to lean on the leaders in the squad. Aidan O’Shea and Lee Keegan can carry them through this game. They have an excellent defence and will look to disrupt Dublin’s formidable attack. O’Shea’s defensive efforts when dropping back will be key to their chances in this game. However, Dublin is one of the favourites for anyone betting on the All-Ireland Football Championship and this is as tough a game as they will face this season.
Dublin has been the dominant force of GAA football over the last decade, winning seven of the previous 10 All-Ireland Senior championships. That includes six consecutive wins between 2015 and 2020. They enter 2025 with a solid mix of experienced stars and emerging talents. The Dubs have a core group of talent, made of players like Jack McCaffrey, Stephen Cluxton, and Con O’Callaghan. Their ability to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game will be crucial in maintaining dominance throughout the match. Dublin can hit the ground running at the beginning of the season and our GAA prediction is for a victory for the home side.
The battle in the middle third will play a huge part in the result of this game. Dublin’s Brian Fenton and Shane Carthy should dominate the aerial battles, providing a platform for attack. Mayo must contest these areas fiercely with players like Diarmuid O’Connor and Matthew Ruane, but Dublin should dominate on their way to victory.
The Dubs’ attacking play is their hallmark. They have a fast-paced, direct style of football, often utilising the width of a GAA pitch to stretch opposition defences. Look for Dublin to target the Mayo full-back line. Con O’Callaghan will probably be a key player, there exploiting any space that opens up. Their bench also holds key game-changers, including young players such as Ciarán Archer and Dean Rock, who can make an impact late in the game.
Mayo’s forward line is full of potential, with players such as Cillian O’Connor and Ryan O’Donoghue capable of scoring from all areas of the pitch. Their ability to finish clinically will be critical, especially given Dublin’s tendency to dominate possession. Mayo will need to capitalise on their scoring chances and not allow Dublin to dictate the game with long periods of ball control.
Both teams have what it takes to win, but Dublin’s ability to control the tempo and maintain a high level of consistency throughout a game gives them the edge. However, Mayo has always proven to be a dangerous side, particularly in high-stakes encounters. This game could come down to small margins. Mayo’s ability to press Dublin in key areas and capitalise on scoring opportunities will determine how close they can keep the game.
Dublin vs Mayo Betting Tips
Dublin is the favourite for this game. The Dubs have the home advantage and are second favourites to win the All-Ireland Senior championship this season. They have a host of excellent players who are now stars of the NFL and several are coming off of a championship-winning season at club level. Con O’Callaghan has become incredibly important and can shine here. Dublin to win is worth 4/6 for anyone betting on GAA football.
It is worth noting that Mayo were undefeated against Dublin last season. They defeated the Dubs in the NFL season and earned a draw in the All-Ireland group stages. The Westerners are 6/4 underdogs at our online bookmaker but have proven enough they can compete with the 31-time champions. A €10 stake on Mayo returns €15.
Both meetings ended in a draw after 70 minutes last season. It would be a surprise to see yet another draw in this fixture, but their form suggests it is not out of the question. A bet on a draw is worth 15/2, with a €10 stake returning €75.
Winning Margin
The two meetings between these teams were tight in 2024. Both games ended as a draw, with one being separated by a penalty shootout victory for Mayo. Dublin will get the better of them this time around, but it won’t be a runaway victory. We like a bet on Dublin to win by a margin of 1-3 points, worth 11/4.
Point Scorers
These sides boast some excellent scorers. Ryan O’Donoghue, Cormac Costello, and Con O’Callaghan were all impressive in the NFL last season. They were also strong performers throughout the club championship. O’Donoghue was the All-Ireland top scorer in 2024, finishing with 57 points and O’Callaghan was the driving force behind Cuala’s championship win this year. We like a bet on both men to score in this clash.
Live Betting
The odds can change quickly in competitive games like this. Anything like a red or black card can shift the momentum of a match. Keep your eye on the in-play markets during this game to stay on top of the betting in the most crucial moments of the season opener.
