National Football League: Drama Unfolds on the Final Weekend

The Allianz National Football League League reaches its climax this weekend. It has been an exciting six match days before this weekend, and the seventh promises to be just as good, with drama and implications across the divisions. The introduction of the new rules for football have brought about subtle changes so far in the campaign. We are seeing higher scoring matches, as well as more goals, with the rules encouraging attacking football. The rules are suiting some teams more than others, with those teams who have focused on defensive football over the last number of years struggling to adapt to a more attacking style. Let’s take a look at what is at stake in each division in what is expected to be a great weekend for the GAA.

Division 1

Division 1 is certainly the division with the most quality teams in it. Last year's Division 1 League Champions Derry were relegated from the division last weekend and will therefore have nothing to play for this weekend. There is plenty still at stake with teams being threatened with relegation this weekend, as well as multiple teams looking to get to the league final. Galway, Dublin and Donegal are all tied on 8 points with the latter currently missing out on the league final via score difference. Mayo are on 7 points and Kerry are on 6 points, but look unlikely that they will make the final, and may have to look over their shoulder just in case as there is a small threat of relegation.

Armagh are currently in 7th place and facing relegation with 5 points, but they are only behind Tyrone in 6th on score difference. As mentioned, Derry are bottom and already relegated, accumulating just 1 point. Anything can happen in this division this weekend and the fixtures can be seen below.

• Armagh vs Derry
• Tyrone vs Dublin
• Galway vs Kerry
• Mayo vs Donegal

Division 2

Division 2 has been a very exciting division this season with high scoring in many of the matches. Some of the best games of the National League have come in division 2 and there is lots for the teams in the division to play for this weekend. Westmeaths relegation to division 3 was confirmed last weekend but Louth, Down and Cork all have the threat of relegation hanging over them. Louth are currently in the relegation zone on 4 points behind Down in 6th on score difference. Cork are in 5th place on 6 points. The battle for promotion is between 4 teams.

Monaghan top the table on 10 points with Roscommon, Meath and Cavan behind them all tied on 8 points and in that order in the table. If multiple (more than 2) teams are tied on the same points it will come down to score difference but if just two are tied it will come down to head to head. Fixtures can be seen below.

• Monaghan vs Down
• Louth vs Meath
• Westmeath vs Roscommon
• Cavan vs Cork

Division 3

Division 3 has multiple teams that can get promoted this weekend and multiple teams can get relegated. Leitrim are already relegated to Division 4 but Antrim, Sligo and Fermanagh all have a chance to be relegated with them on 4,5 and 5 points respectively. Offaly lead the way on 10 points with Kildare in 2nd on 8 points ahead of Clare in 3rd on score difference.

Clare play Offaly this weekend and if Kildare also win their match they will have to beat Offaly by 11 points or more. A win for Kildare will get them promoted while a win or draw for Offaly or even a defeat by less than 11 points will get them promoted. Fixtures are below.

• Clare vs Offaly
• Kildare vs Antrim
• Sligo vs Leitrim
• Fermanagh vs Laois

Division 4

Division 4 does not offer the threat of relegation which makes the drama in the division slightly less than the others. Wexford have secured promotion to division 3 but there are still two teams battling it out for that last promotion spot. They are Limerick and Wicklow, with Limerick in pole position on 8 points while Wicklow have 7. Fixtures are below.

• Limerick vs Waterford
• Tipperary vs Wicklow
• Longford vs Wexford
• London vs Carlow

This league campaign has been a very exciting one and we are eagerly awaiting the final weekend of each division. See more news content from BetinIreland.