GAA Betting: Who Are The Favourites To Win The National Football League?

Ahead of another action-packed weekend of competitive football, betting sites are once again exploring who the primary challengers are for this year’s National Football League.
While last weekend was initially due to be a rest period for the competition, January's inclement weather ensured that a number of refixed encounters across the NFL were held throughout Saturday and Sunday.
The clash of Donegal and Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Saturday was the sole offering in Division One, but it proved to be an enthralling game.
Neck and neck with the Kingdom coming down the final stretch, Donegal ultimately came away with the points on offer thanks to late scores from Jamie Brennan and Conor O’Donnell.
This helped them record a 0-23 to 1-18 triumph, and when you also factor in their 0-20 to 0-16 win at home to Dublin seven days earlier, Jim McGuinness’ charges appear to be in fine shape at the moment.
Donegal New Favourites After Important Win
It is still early days, of course, and Donegal have a tough game on the horizon this Sunday against reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh in Ballybofey.
Having avoided defeat to the Orchard County on three occasions in 2024, there is every chance the O’Donnell men could come out on top in this fixture.
You have to go back to 2007 for Donegal’s sole National Football League success to date, but this hasn’t stopped some betting apps from making them favourites for the competition after their impressive victories over Dublin and Kerry.
Heading into this weekend’s games, Boylesports have Donegal at odds of 15/8 to supplement their Division Two triumph in 2024 by claiming top-tier glory this spring.
The experienced duo of Ryan McHugh and Paddy McBrearty showed in the Kerry game that they are more than capable of taking advantage of the new rules for Gaelic football.
The imminent return of Michael Murphy to the field of play should also add an extra dimension to their game.
National League Odds
Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
Donegal | 15/8 | |
Galway | 5/2 | |
Kerry | 7/2 | |
Armagh | 7/1 | |
Dublin | 8/1 | |
Tyrone | 8/1 | |
Mayo | 50/1 | |
Derry | 50/1 |
Galway Still Very Much In The Running
Following their 0-26 to 0-16 win at the expense of provincial rivals Mayo last Sunday week, Galway were installed as the new favourites for the 2025 edition of the National Football League.
They have been usurped by Donegal since then, but the Tribesmen remain a strong option at 5/2.
Whereas last year saw Galway narrowly avoid relegation after playing most of the league with a massive injury list, Padraic Joyce’s men look far stronger in this year’s NFL because most of their star performers are currently fit and available.
One of the four league defeats they suffered in 2024 was at the hands of Derry.
They face the Oak Leaf County in Celtic Park this Saturday, and a reversal of last year’s fixture would certainly help to bolster their title credentials.
Kerry And Armagh Also In Contention
Before falling short to Donegal, Kerry struck three late goals to earn a comeback victory against Derry in the second round of the league.
Sean O’Shea, Dylan Geaney and Paudie Clifford shone brightly in defeat to Jack O’Connor’s men last Saturday and with David Clifford still to make his seasonal return, there could well be some life left in the Kingdom.
Ahead of their bout with Dublin at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Saturday evening, Kerry are available at 7/2 with Boylesports for an eventual NFL final triumph.
Their 23 titles make them the most successful team in the competition, and this is one of several reasons why you can never rule them out of the running for a national crown.
It would also be foolish to dismiss Armagh's claims, as they secured an All-Ireland title against all odds in 2024.
This year’s league began with them losing to Galway in Salthill - the team they defeated in last July’s championship decider - but they got themselves back on track with an impressive second-round win against Tyrone.
Not that it was much of a concern when they climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park at the end of the inter-county season, but Donegal were something of a bogey team for Armagh in 2024.
Kieran McGeeney’s men lost an NFL Division Two final to them by a single point, before suffering the agony of a penalty shootout loss to the same side in the Ulster senior football championship showpiece.
A win may well be required this weekend if the Orchard want to add a league success to their All-Ireland final victory.
The odds on them doing so currently stand at 7/1 with 10bet.
Dublin And Tyrone Outsiders For Top-Tier Win
Most GAA betting sites are offering odds of 8/1 on both Dublin and Tyrone for this year’s league.
Thus far in Division One, this duo have amassed one win and one defeat apiece. Despite winning All-Irelands within the past four years, both counties are rebuilding.
Dublin have lost a huge amount of experience in the past few months, and Tyrone are looking to make up for three disappointing championship campaigns on the bounce.
While Dublin have the aforementioned meeting with Kerry in Tralee, Tyrone are taking on Mayo in Castlebar on Sunday.
If either team were to register their second win of the season, it could very well shorten their odds for league glory.
Mayo And Derry Out Of The Running?
Due, in part, to losing both of their league games to date in 2025, Mayo and Derry are seen as outsiders at best for an NFL title in the current term.
This is in spite of the fact that they are the last two winners of the competition, but there were some question marks surrounding both camps coming into the new season.
Wins this weekend could quickly lift the mood around the counties, but for the time being, Derry and Mayo are rated as 50/1 prospects.
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