Kerry v Monaghan Prediction, Preview & Odds - All-Ireland Groups

In this post, we bring you a Kerry v Monaghan prediction plus all the odds as we preview this opening-round clash from the All-Ireland group stage.

Kerry are kings of Munster yet again but that title will feel hollow given the lack of competition down south these days. This is a team that will want to put the record straight after last year’s All-Ireland Final defeat and this opening game against Monaghan is a chance for them to make a statement of intent for their aspirations later this summer.

Monaghan, on the other hand, are coming into this one after what has been a disappointing season to date. After so many years of relegation scraps, they finally ran out of lives and were relegated from Division 1 in this year’s National League. The misery was then compounded shortly after as they lost to Cavan by 6 points in the opening round of the Ulster Championship.

So can Kerry lay down a marker against a struggling Monaghan team? Or will the Ulstermen prove that they are better than what recent form would suggest? Find out everything you need to know about this one below.

How To Watch Kerry v Monaghan?

When is Kerry v Monaghan?

Kerry v Monaghan will throw in at 3 pm on Saturday, May 18th.

TV Channel

Kerry v Monaghan will be shown exclusively on GAAGo.ie.

Live Stream

In both Ireland and outside of Ireland you can stream Kerry v Monaghan on GAAGo with a subscription or by purchasing access to stream the game.

Where is Kerry v Monaghan Being Played?

Kerry v Monaghan will be played in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney as Kerry are the designated home team for this match.

Kerry v Monaghan Odds

Kerry are heavy favourites for this opening round All-Ireland group stage game at odds of 1/8.

Monaghan are big outsiders at odds of 13/2 to pull off what would be a surprise win in Killarney.

The draw is an even unlikelier prospect according to the latest betting as it is priced up at 13/1.

Handicap Betting

Kerry: -7 @ Evens

Monaghan: +7 @ 10/11

Handicap Draw: -7 @ 10/1

In the handicap betting, Kerry are 7-point favourites which means that you can back them to win by 8 or more points at Evens odds.

Kerry v Monaghan Preview

Team News

Kerry Team News

Credit to @Kerry_Official on X for the above image.

You can’t talk about Kerry without first talking about the sensation that is David Clifford. The Fossa man has been a force for his county since bursting onto the scene and is currently on a trajectory to be considered the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) by the time he hangs up his boots.

His older brother Paudie, is no slouch either, and when you add Sean O’Shea and Paul Geaney into the mix you are left with an embarrassment of riches for Kerry in their forward lines.

Monaghan Team News

Credit to @monaghangaa on X for the above image.

Monaghan have some classy footballers in their squad with the likes of Conor McCarthy at wing-back, Stephen O’Hanlon at half-forward and the legend Conor McManus inside. They will be relying heavily on these men if they are to pull off an unlikely upset this Saturday in Killarney.

However, you could argue it’s their goalkeeper, American Football Kicker hopeful Rory Beggan, who arguably makes this team tick above anyone else. Beggan is a fantastic footballer and is almost deployed like the quarterback of this team as he gets on heaps of ball around the middle of the park and creates opportunities with his passing abilities.

Kerry’s Form

Kerry’s 2024 Results

Clare 1-13 0-23 | Kerry | Munster Final | Cusack Park

Kerry 0-18 1-12 Cork | Munster Semi-Final | Fitzgerald Stadium

Kerry 0-15 1-10 Galway | National League Division 1 | Fitzgerald Stadium

Roscommon 1-11 1-17 Kerry | National League Division 1 | Dr Hyde Park

Kerry 0-18 1-11 Tyrone | National League Division 1 | Fitzgerald Stadium

Dublin 3-18 1-14 Kerry | National League Division 1 | Croke Park

Kerry 0-16 0-15 Mayo | National League Division 1 | Austin Stack Park

Monaghan 1-12 3-15 Kerry | National League Division 1 | St Tiernach’s Park

Kerry 2-08 0-15 Derry | National League Division 1 | Austin Stack Park

Analysis

After a 2023 season that ended in an All-Ireland Final defeat, Kerry bounced back with a strong spring in 2024.

Jack O’Connor’s side finished 3rd in Division 1 of the National League, just missing out on a league final appearance on the head-to-head tiebreaker with Dublin. They finished their league campaign with 5 wins and 2 losses with both of those defeats coming against the top 2 sides, Derry and Dublin.

The last time we saw The Kingdom was in the Munster Final against Clare. They never looked like losing in that game although the margin of the victory, 7 points, is less than what many would have expected going into the game.

It was a similar story against Cork as they went into that Munster semi-final as heavy favourites but the Rebels kept it a lot closer than what many would have predicted. Kerry’s experience and class proved too good down the stretch, however, as they pulled away to win by 3 points.

On paper, Kerry appear to be too good for Monaghan but they will want to up their performance level from recent displays.

Monaghan’s Form

Monaghan’s 2024 Results

Monaghan 1-12 3-12 Cavan | Ulster Championship | St Tiernach’s Park

Monaghan 1-14 2-13 Mayo | National League Division 1 | St Tiernach’s Park

Tyrone 1-19 2-13 Monaghan | National League Division 1 | Healy Park

Monaghan 0-14 3-12 Galway | National League Division 1 | St Tiernach’s Park

Roscommon 1-16 0-07 Monaghan | National League Division 1 | Dr Hyde Park

Derry 3-17 0-13 Monaghan | National League Division 1 | Celtic Park

Monaghan 1-12 3-15 Kerry | National League Division 1 | St Tiernach’s Park

Dublin 1-14 3-09 Monaghan | National League Division 1 | Croke Park

Analysis

Monaghan have been off the pace this year and that’s to say the least. They finished last in Division 1 of the National League after registering just 2 points in their 7 outings.

Surprisingly, those 2 points came on the opening day of the league when they pulled off a surprise win over Dublin thanks in large part to 3 goals. Since then it has been all downhill. They finished on a -45 points differential, 22 points worse than the other relegated team (Roscommon).

Their one Championship appearance came against Division 2 opposition in Cavan. It was a thrilling game and Monaghan led in injury time but could not see out the game and conceded 2 injury time goals to eventually lose by 6 points and crash out of Ulster.

With all that said, this team has no form at all to speak of. Things look bleak for Monaghan at the moment and it’s hard to see them getting a result in Killarney this weekend based on all available knowledge.

Kerry v Monaghan Prediction

Prediction: Kerry 3-13 1-11 Monaghan

I am predicting that Kerry will win this game comfortably. The Kingdom should be much too good for a Monaghan team that has badly struggled this season.

Kerry haven’t burst into life yet in this Championship and I think this could be the occasion for them to make a statement in front of a home crowd in Killarney against a Monaghan team that have been a punching bag.

Best Bet: Paudie Clifford to be Man of the Match @ 13/2

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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