Armagh v Monaghan Prediction, Preview & Odds – All-Ireland Quarter-Final

We have an Armagh v Monaghan prediction for you plus all the betting odds ahead of their All-Ireland quarter-final this Saturday evening.

How To Watch Armagh v Monaghan

When? 6pm, Saturday, July 1st

Where? Croke Park, Dublin

TV Channel: Only available to stream on GAAGO.ie

Armagh v Monaghan Preview

Armagh’s Form

Armagh come into this quarter-final matchup with Monaghan after an interesting 12 months.

It was at this stage last year that Armagh were one of the hottest teams in Ireland and went into the quarter-finals in 2022 as favourites against eventual All-Ireland finalists Galway. The Orchard County would go on to lose that game in penalties but it wasn’t before they staged one of the most miraculous comebacks we’ve seen in Croke Park with two late goals and a 50+ metre kick from below the Cusack Stand to force the game into extra-time.

League Form

Coming into this year’s National League one of the big questions was whether Armagh could follow up last year’s impressive campaign with a strong spring to prove that they belong among the true All-Ireland contenders.

Unfortunately, from an Armagh perspective they were disappointing this spring on their way to a 7th place finish. That means that they were relegated from Division 1 and will be playing their football in Division 2 next year. The Orchard County’s relegation is even more disappointing when you consider that they started out their league campaign strongly with 3 points from their opening 2 games.

While Armagh did get relegated it’s also fair to say they were quite unlucky given that they didn’t lose any game by more than 3 points.

Championship Form

After relegation from Division 1 of the National League Armagh had a lot to prove going into this year’s Ulster Championship. And they proved that last year was no mirage by cruising to the Ulster Final after three facile victories; a 9-point win over Antrim, a 5-point win over Cavan and a 10-point win over Tailteann Cup finalists and favourites Down.

The real test would come against last year’s Ulster Champions Derry in the final. That game turned out to be a thrilling contest which would take extra-time and penalties to separate the sides.

Armagh lost out on penalties 3-1 after another dismal penalty shootout display like against Galway in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final. Despite the loss, Kieran McGeeney’s side proved that they belonged among the top teams in the country after that Ulster Final display.

In the novel All-Ireland group stage they were drawn with Galway, Tyrone and last year’s Tailteann Cup champions Westmeath.

The first round saw Armagh welcome Westmeath to the Gaelic Grounds. They struggled mightily in that game but in the end did just enough to get over the line by the minimum, 1-13 to 1-12.

Next up was a trip to Omagh to take on provincial rivals Tyrone. The Orchard County started slow and were down by four points just before the half-hour mark. Things were then made a whole lot worse as star forward Rian O’Neill was red carded. Armagh kept the game close with 14-men but were never able to overcome that deficit as they eventually succumbed to a 2-point loss.

Their final group game came against Galway with everything from top spot to being dumped out of the Championship still in play. There was also the issue of revenge for last year’s quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Tribesmen. McGeeney’s side went back and forth with Galway in a thrilling game and in the end did just enough to get over the line by a single point, 0-16 to 1-12. That result saw them top the group and book their spot in this year’s All-Ireland quarter-finals.

So, How’s The Form?

The form for Armagh is strong coming into this game against Monaghan. They took Derry to penalties in the Ulster Final and beat Galway in the final round of the group stage to get here.

There is no doubt that confidence will be high in this group ahead of this game.

Monaghan’s Form

League Form

The Pope is a Catholic and Monaghan will play their football in Division 1 of the National League next year. Some things in life never change.

Monaghan weren’t overly convincing during this year’s National League campaign but they did just enough, as they always seem to, and avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.

A final day win against a Mayo side that had already booked their spot in the Division 1 Final was enough to ensure that they would finish 6th and one point above relegation.

Championship Form

The Farney county were given the tough task of travelling to Omagh to kick off their Ulster Championship campaign. Tyrone played the better football in the first half of that game and could really have been out of sight at the break if they had their shooting boots on. Monaghan never went away however, and were able to steal the game at the death with a goal from wing-back Ryan O’Toole.

This result booked them a semi-final spot against Derry. This was a game that Monaghan were always chasing from the start as the Oak Leaf County maintained a comfortable gap throughout the 70 minutes before running out as 8-point winners. This result was a real setback for Monaghan and put serious question marks around what we could expect from this side come the business end of the Championship.

In the All-Ireland series group stage they were drawn with fellow Ulster counties Derry and Donegal plus Clare. Their first outing was a rematch against Derry and this time out Vinnie Corey’s side gave a much better account of themselves as they earned a draw in a game they led most of the way.

Next up was Clare at home. In that game Monaghan rallied from one point behind in the last 25 minutes to win on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-18.

Donegal were the opposition in the final round with Monaghan needing a draw to secure a home preliminary quarter-final. Given Donegal’s troubles Monaghan were expected to win this game but they were wasteful with their shooting which saw them fall to a 2-point defeat.

That loss meant that the Farney county finished third and had to travel away to take on Kildare for a spot in the quarter-finals. This game was a battle for Monaghan as Kildare were on top for long periods. The Lilywhites even went into injury time a point up but Jack McCarron soon replied from a free before wing-back Conor McCarthy broke Kildare hearts with a last gasp winner from play.

So, How’s The Form?

The form for Monaghan this season has been up and down. According to the latest betting odds they are rated as the joint-least likely team remaining to win Sam Maguire.

I think that’s a fair assessment of their chances too. With that said, they have managed a win against Tyrone in Omagh and earned a draw against Derry so you can’t count them out.

Key Players To Watch

Rian O’Neill

Armagh full-forward Rian O’Neill is among the most talented player in the country. While he wears the no. 14 for his county you can find him anywhere from the full-forward line to midfield, excelling from wherever he may be on the field.

O’Neill was a massive loss in the Galway game after his red card against Tyrone. With him back in the starting XV Armagh are a much better team.

Conor McCarthy

Monaghan wing-back Conor McCarthy has been a driving force for his county this season. He was man of the match last time out as he racked up 1-02 from the half-back line which was crucial in booking Monaghan’s quarter-final spot.

You can expect McCarthy to be driving his team forward once again this weekend.

Armagh v Monaghan Head-To-Head Results

Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 1-14 | 2023 National League

Armagh 1-07 Monaghan 0-10 | 2022 National League

Armagh 2-21 Monaghan 4-17 | 2021 Ulster Championship

Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 1-16 | 2020 National League

Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 2-17 | 2019 All-Ireland Qualifiers

Armagh have had the better of this fixture in recent years with 3 wins in the last 5 meetings between these teams. Monaghan have one win while there was also one draw.

Armagh v Monaghan Betting Odds

Armagh – 1/2

Monaghan – 9/4

The Draw – 15/2

Handicap – Armagh -3 @ 11/10

Armagh go into this game as pretty strong favourites at odds of 1/2 to win the match and a handicap of -3.

Armagh v Monaghan Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Armagh 2-14 Monaghan 0-12

I’m predicting Armagh to make a statement in this game and prove that they are true All-Ireland contenders. It’s now or never for Armagh and they have the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker here against a Monaghan team that has been shaky this season.

Best Bet: Armagh to win by 6+ points @ 5/2

Click Below For All Our Armagh v Monaghan Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide.