Date: Sunday, May 11

Time: 4:15pm

Venue: Croke Park, Dublin

Live on: RTÉ

Odds: Meath 4/6 | Louth 6/4 | Draw 13/2

Tip: Louth to win at 6/4 – the standout bet of the weekend

A classic Leinster rivalry returns to the big stage as Meath and Louth meet in the 2025 Leinster Football Final. With both counties bringing momentum and hunger to Croke Park, this promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated provincial deciders in recent years.

Louth are 6/4 underdogs, despite a run of excellent form and a commanding 3-10 to 0-9 win over Meath in last year’s All-Ireland Round Robin. That result, combined with their defensive solidity this year, makes Louth the standout bet of the weekend.

Paths to the Final

Meath

• Beat Carlow (1-30 to 0-19)
• Beat Offaly (1-25 to 0-21)
• Beat Dublin (0-23 to 1-16)

Louth

• Beat Laois (2-16 to 0-17)
• Beat Kildare (1-18 to 0-18)

Both sides are unbeaten en route to the final, with Meath’s win over Dublin catching the eye. But Louth have quietly gone about their business, winning two close encounters without conceding a goal.

Recent Championship Head-to-Head

• 2024: Louth 3-10 Meath 0-9 (All-Ireland Round Robin)
• 2017: Meath 0-27 Louth 3-9
• 2016: Meath 0-20 Louth 1-13
• 2011: Meath 5-8 Louth 2-8
• 2010: Meath 1-12 Louth 1-10 (Leinster Final)

Historical Leinster Final Meetings

• 2010: Meath 1-12 Louth 1-10
• 1952: Meath 1-6 Louth 0-8
• 1950 (Replay): Louth 3-5 Meath 0-13
• 1950 (Draw): Louth 1-3 Meath 1-3

Stats & Storylines

• Louth are appearing in a third successive Leinster final for the first time since 1912-1914.
• Their last Leinster title came in 1957, the year they also won the All-Ireland.
• Meath haven’t won a Leinster title since 2010, when they last beat Louth in a final.
• Louth beat Meath 1-19 to 0-17 in the 2025 Allianz League.
• Both counties have conceded no goals on their path to the final.
• Louth manager Ger Brennan won three Leinster titles as a Dublin player between 2009 and 2013.

Verdict: Louth to Deliver at 6/4

The form guide, recent head-to-heads, and defensive record all point toward a real upset in the making. Louth at 6/4 to win their first Leinster crown in 68 years is tremendous value. Back the Reds to deliver.

The post Louth v Meath: Underdog Louth Carry the Value in Historic Leinster Final at Croke Park appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Clones will be packed to the rafters this weekend as reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh go head-to-head with Ulster title holders Donegal in a mouth-watering Ulster Football Championship Final rematch. This repeat of last year’s epic decider promises fireworks, especially with so much recent history between these two Ulster powerhouses.

Donegal edged that 2024 final after a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 6-5 after the sides couldn’t be separated in normal and extra time. Now, Armagh return with silverware in hand, looking to claim their first Ulster title since 2008.

Betting Odds: Draw the Value as Bookies Edge Towards Donegal

The bookies make Donegal favourites at 4/6, with Armagh priced at 6/4, but the standout value lies in the draw at 8/1. Given the razor-thin margins between the teams and last year’s final also going to penalties, tipping the draw in normal time looks the smartest play.

Paths to the Final

Armagh

• Armagh 1-34 Antrim 1-23 (Quarter-Final)
• Armagh 0-23 Tyrone 0-22 (Semi-Final)

Donegal

• Donegal 1-25 Derry 1-15 (Preliminary Round)
• Donegal 0-23 Monaghan 0-21 (Quarter-Final)
• Donegal 1-19 Down 0-16 (Semi-Final)

Recent Meetings

• 2024: Donegal 0-20 Armagh 0-20 (Donegal won 6-5 on pens)
• 2022: Armagh 3-17 Donegal 0-16 (Qualifiers)
• 2022: Donegal 1-16 Armagh 0-12 (Ulster QF)
• 2020: Donegal 1-22 Armagh 0-13 (Ulster SF)
• 2015: Donegal 2-11 Armagh 0-8 (Ulster QF)

Four of the last five meetings have gone Donegal’s way, but Armagh are trending upward and look more dangerous with each outing.

Ulster Final Flashbacks

• 2024: Donegal 0-20 Armagh 0-20 (Donegal won on pens)
• 2006: Armagh 1-9 Donegal 0-9
• 2004: Armagh 3-15 Donegal 0-11
• 2002: Armagh 1-14 Donegal 1-10
• 1990: Donegal 0-15 Armagh 0-14

Storylines and Stats

• Armagh are chasing their first Ulster title since 2008.
• Donegal are bidding for their seventh provincial crown since 2011.
• Armagh and Donegal have met in two of the last three Ulster finals.
• Donegal won their league clash 0-21 to 1-10 earlier this year.
• McGeeney and McGuinness are both seasoned managers, adding a tactical edge to this rivalry.

Tip: Back the Draw at 8/1

With so little to separate them and history repeating itself last year, the draw at 8/1 in normal time is the value tip of the weekend. A cagey, tactical battle is likely, with extra time (and possibly penalties) once again needed to split them.

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