Derry v Monaghan Prediction, Preview & Odds – Ulster Championship
We have a Derry v Monaghan prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of their clash in the Ulster Semi-Final on Saturday evening.
The winner of this game will go on to face Down or Armagh in the Ulster Final on May 14th.
Derry v Monaghan Match Info
When? 5.00 pm, Saturday, April 29th
Where? Celtic Park, Derry
TV Channel? GAAGo.ie
Derry v Monaghan Preview
Derry’s Form
Derry was excellent throughout their 2023 League Campaign not losing a single game winning six games dispatching Limerick, Louth, Meath, Kildare, Dublin, and Clare in their opening six weeks of the league season which was enough to secure their League Final place and promotion to Division 1 for 2024.
The only blot in their form book was a Round 7 draw against Cork 1-14 – 1-14 Derry which was enough to secure a top-of-the-league position in 2023 coming ahead of their opponents Dublin in second place. Derry had the third-best attack in the league with 120 points and a defence with only 69 points conceded.
However, in the Division 2 League Final, they lost 4-6 to 0-11 to Dublin after a barrage of second-half goals saw the Dubs overcome Derry’s half-time lead. That Dublin game put serious question marks around how good this Derry team really is heading into the Championship.
Their first game in the Ulster Championship came against Fermanagh who also lost a league final earlier in the month, theirs being for the Division 3 title.
Derry went into the game as strong favourites and in fairness to Rory Gallagher’s men they delivered with a classy performance in a 14-point victory that showed the gap in quality that exists between the two sides. That win sets them up with this Ulster semi-final clash against Monaghan.
Monaghan’s Form
Monaghan will play their football in Division 1 next season after narrowly avoiding relegation in the final round of league fixtures after defeating Mayo to a scoreline of 0-14 to 2-14 away from home in their final league fixture of the season.
Monaghan’s record in the league was three wins and four defeats in their seven matches one of which came at home to Tyrone 0-13 to their 2-15 earlier in the league campaign. Their 109 points scored an average of 15.57 points per match was the third-best record in the Division.
However, their defence was poor with 119 points conceded – an average of 17 points per match which was the worst in the league.
Monaghan in their Ulster Quarter-Final outing overcame Tyrone in a thriller thanks to a last gasp goal from wingback Ryan O’Toole 1-18 to 2-17 victory which ensured their spot in this Semi-Final.
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Key Players To Watch
Conor McManus
The Monaghan Maestro who has been playing county football since 2007 and has 2 Ulster titles and 3 All-Stars is still going strong despite turning 36 next November.
In the league campaign, he scored 1-13 across his five matches an average of 3.20 points per match which was good enough to be the fifth-best average amongst the top scorers in the division proving there’s life in the old dog yet! He continued this form in the Ulster Quarter-Final victory scoring 0-9 (8fs).
Conor Glass
Since returning from the AFL in 2020, the midfielder has been credited with helping to “Change the whole landscape of Gaelic Football in Derry” there are not many compliments if any greater than you could give a footballer. But that is exactly what is being argued about the 25-year-old who recently assumed the captaincy of his county.
2022 was a great year for Glass, Ulster Champion with Derry, Derry County Champion with Glen, Ulster Club Champion, and an All-Star Award. Glass is a class act in midfield for the Oak Leaf county and he was awarded for his incredible performances with an All-Star last season.
The 25-year-old is crucial to everything that Derry do and he will be looking to help book the county a second consecutive Ulster Final by beating Monaghan this Saturday.
When was the last time they played?
Derry 3-12 Monaghan 0-17 | 2022 Ulster Championship Semi-Final
These teams went head-to-head in last season’s Ulster Championship at the same stage of the competition as this year’s game. On that day it was Derry who got the better of proceedings thanks in large part to two goals from Benny Heron.
Derry v Monaghan Betting Odds
The odds makers make Derry favourites as we get closer to Saturday’s game! They can be currently gotten at 1/2.
Monaghan are underdogs who can be gotten at 2/1 while the draw is 15/2.
The handicap for the game is Derry -2 at EVS.
Derry v Monaghan Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Derry 0-18 Monaghan 0-16
Derry won Division 2 of the league while Monaghan finished 6th in Division 1 narrowly avoiding relegation. Derry to edge it but this will be closer than people expect.
Best Bet: Derry Winning Margin 1-3 Points @ 12/5
For all the latest odds on the race for Sam Maguire check out our All-Ireland Football Odds post 2023.
Click Below For All Our Derry v Monaghan Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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