Football

All to play for as end of National Football League is in sight

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will hope his side will remain in Division One
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will hope his side will remain in Division One Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will hope his side will remain in Division One

As the National Football League season reaches its conclusion we take a look at the permutations and the possible ups and downs that await counties...

Division One

WE’LL start at the bottom first. Meath are already relegated but one from Monaghan, Tyrone or Mayo will join them in Division Two next year.

Tyrone can save themselves if they avoid defeat in Mayo on Sunday but a defeat and they’ll be depending on already doomed Meath upsetting Monaghan to remain in the top flight. For Monaghan, they have more options. A win over Meath and they’re safe. A draw and they could still be safe – even if Mayo and Tyrone draw, that would send the Connacht men down.

Donegal are safe on seven points and still could be crowned Division One champions should they topple leaders Kerry in Tralee on Saturday, but it’s a long shot.

And, in any case, they will have an eye on their Ulster Championship showdown with Tyrone on November 1, so how motivated they’ll be to win and push for the Division One crown is a moot point.

Should Kerry slip up, Dublin and Galway, who meet in Salthill on Sunday, could take advantage and claim the silverware.

The title could still be decided by scoring difference if Kerry and Dublin finish on the same number of points as they both drew back in January.

If Kerry and Galway finish on level points, Kerry will win it on head-to-head.

Saturday (2pm): Kerry v Donegal Sunday (2pm): Mayo v Tyrone; Galway v Dublin; Monaghan v Meath

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Division Two

YOU can put a line through Roscommon as it would take a ridiculous set of circumstances to see them displaced at the top of Division Two.

Despite their schizophrenic performance at home to the Rossies last weekend, Armagh’s fate is still in their own hands. If they beat Clare in Ennis on Saturday they’re promoted - even if Westmeath, who are also on seven points, beat Kildare in Newbridge as the Orchard men’s scoring average – currently +22 – is worth a point in itself. Remember, both Armagh and Westmeath drew so scores will count if they are tied on the same number of points with the Midlanders.

If Armagh lose, it keeps the Division One door ajar for the likes of Clare, Cavan and Kildare and obviously Westmeath.

There’s a strange dynamic going on in Division Two as there are a couple of counties who still have an eye on promotion but probably a keener eye on relegation.

Cavan, Clare and Kildare are all on six points and can still mathematically make a push for promotion. But one of them could join Fermanagh in Division Three next year, with Laois hoping to secure their status with a win over the Ernemen.

Saturday (2pm): Kildare v Westmeath; Cavan v Roscommon; Clare v Armagh; Fermanagh v Laois

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Division 3

WITH Cork confirmed champions after winning six games out of six, the second promotion spot is between Ulster sides Down and Derry with Longford.

Down can kill off the hope of their rivals if they avoid defeat against Louth in Drogheda and they’ll join Cork in Division Two next year.

Should Down lose and Derry beat Offaly in Tullamore and Longford inflict the first defeat on Cork at Pearse Park then that will leave Down, Derry and Longford on the same points with scoring difference being the decisive factor. Derry currently have a better scoring average.

Should Down and Derry end up on nine points and Longford finish on anything less, the straight head-to-head rule would put the Mournemen up.

At the bottom, Louth are already relegated to Division Four after six straight defeats with Leitrim needing to beat Tipperary in their last home game in Carrick-on-Shannon to avoid the drop.

Offaly and Tipperary are still not safe from relegation either.

Sunday (2pm): Longford v Cork; Offaly v Derry; Leitrim v Tipperary; Louth v Down

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Division Four

AH, the Antrim footballers would break your heart. Promotion was within reach until last weekend’s horrible defeat to Wicklow.

Their 24-point hammering in Aughrim leaves them depending on other results.

They need Sligo to beat Limerick, they also need a winner in the Wexford versus Wicklow game while obviously taking care of business against Waterford in Portglenone.

If you’re still with me (which is doubtful) if Wicklow and Wexford draw, Limerick lose and Antrim win, that would leave three teams on nine points - Antrim, Wexford and Wicklow – and it would go down to scoring difference. That scenario wouldn’t favour Antrim after their scoring average took a major hit last weekend.

On form, you would fancy Wicklow to beat Wexford and gain promotion. Limerick beating Sligo is not what Antrim want. There are six teams still in with a chance of going up. We could be here all night.

Saturday fixtures (2pm): Antrim v Waterford; Wexford v Wicklow; Sligo v Limerick