skip to main content

Football League: Final round possibilities

The meeting of Monaghan and Dublin is just one of the many key games down for decision
The meeting of Monaghan and Dublin is just one of the many key games down for decision

While a few counties are certain as to where they stand, there is still much to be decided ahead of the final round games in the Allianz Football League.

What we know: Cork have qualified for the Division 1 semi-final. Derry, after their defeat in that much-talked-about game with Dublin last weekend, are relegated.

In Division 3, Armagh and Fermanagh booked their promotion tickets with a round to spare. Longford have done likewise from Division 4.

Division 1 (All games Sunday 3pm)

Derry v Cork, Owenbeg
Mayo v Donegal, McHale Park
Monaghan v Dublin, Clones
Tyrone v Kerry, Healy Park

Three semi-final spots are up for grabs in the top flight, with the other relegation place to be decided by the outcome of the Tyrone v Kerry clash at Healy Park.

A defeat for Mickey Harte's side would see them join Derry in the second tier in 2016. However, if the Kingdom were to lose by two or more points, then they would make the drop. Indeed, if the game between Mayo and Donegal ends level, then any victory for Tyrone would see the All-Ireland champions drop down.  

Monaghan and Dublin, placed second and third as we stand, meet in Clones. A draw would be good enough for both teams to make the semi-finals. 

A defeat for the Dubs could end their interest in the competition as the winners of  Mayo v Donegal, who meet in Castlebar, and Kerry if they beat Tyrone, would join Monaghan in the last-four

The Farney County could lose out if they don't win today and Kerry can overturn a 15-point scoring deficit in their encounter with Tyrone. The winner of Mayo v Donegal would also join Dublin in the last four in such a scenario.

The Division 1 semi-finals will take place on Sunday 12 April:
1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd.

Prediction: Derry may well finish off the campaign with a win against Cork, but the Rebels should do enough to keep top spot,

I'm going with Dublin to edge out Monaghan; Mayo to see off Donegal and Kerry to have too much for Tyrone. That outcome will relegate the latter.

The semi-final pairings would then see Cork take on Monaghan and Dublin and Mayo, once again, lock horns.

Division 2 (All games Sunday 3pm)

Down v Laois, Páirc Esler
Galway v Kildare, Tuam Stadium
Meath v Cavan, Páirc Tailteann
Westmeath v Roscommon, Cusack Park

Division 2 is really a complex puzzle with all eight teams still involved in one way or another.

Leaders Down, on eight points are a point clear of Meath, Cavan and Roscommon, with Galway a point further back.

Kildare and Westmeath prop up the table on four points, with Laois above them on five.  

If Down defeat Laois at Páirc Esler, then they will be promoted. However, if they lose - an outcome that would keep the O'Moore County safe - then a win for either Meath or Cavan at Páirc Tailteann would guarantee their return to the top flight. Roscommon would also join them if they can get the better of Westmeath at Cusack Park.

A victory for the Mournemen, coupled with wins for Meath and Roscommon would see the Ulster county top the standings and the Rossies joining them in Division 1 next season, courtesy of their defeat of the Royals earlier in the campaign.

If Cavan and Roscommon are tied on the same points in second spot, then the promotion place will be decided on scoring difference following the sides' draw on the opening weekend. The Breffnimen are two points better off as we speak. 

Westmeath and Kildare will both have to win if they are to survive the drop. 

A victory for the Lake County over Roscommon and losses for Kildare and Laois could be the only way to save Tom Cribbin's side as their scoring difference is vastly inferiors to the teams around them.

As for the Lilywhites, they will need to beat Galway by four points and hope that Laois and Westmeath both lose.

If Kildare can achieve their objective in Tuam, then Galway will be relegated if Laois get at least a draw against Down. 

Prediction: It's been a topsy-turvy section all spring and any forecasts are revealed with no great degree of confidence.

At the head of the table, I go with Down to beat Laois on home soil; Meath to prevail over Cavan and Roscommon to get the better of Westmeath.

Those outcomes would see Down lead the way on ten points and Meath and Roscommon both on nine. The latter would be promoted on the head-to-head rule and so join Jim McCorry's men in Division 1 for 2016. 

As for relegation, wins for Galway and Roscommon over Kildare and Westmeath respectively will condemn the Leinster duo to the dreaded drop.  

Division 3 (All games Sunday 3pm)

Clare v Fermanagh, Cusack Park
Louth v Limerick, Gaelic Grounds
Sligo v Armagh, Markievicz Park
Tipperary v Wexford, Clonmel

Thankfully, Division 3 is more clear cut, with both Armagh and Fermanagh promoted with a round to spare.

Wexford on two points and a horrendous scoring difference are as good as gone.

One from Sligo, Clare, Louth and Limerick, will join them in the bottom tier next season. 

Sligo boast the superior points difference of the quartet, but could be relegated if they lose at home to Armagh and there are wins for Clare against Fermanagh and Louth against Limerick.

That scenario would leave both the Yeats County and Limerick on four points, but the head-to-head favours the Munster County.

Losses for Clare and Sligo and a positive outcome for one team in the Louth v Limerick clash would see three teams on four points. Scoring difference would then come into play.   

Prediction: Wexford will be relegated. Louth were far from disgraced against Armagh the last day and can arrest their slide by beating Limerick. Fermanagh are on a roll and should be too good for Clare, while Armagh can take points, with Benbulben in view, against Sligo. 

That would leave Clare, Sligo and Limerick all on four points. The Shannonsiders would then be in trouble with their score difference at -25, much inferior to Sligo and Clare.

Division 4 (Sunday 2pm except where stated)

Leitrim v Waterford, Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada (Saturday 3pm)
Carlow v Longford, Netwatch Dr Cullen Park
Offaly v Antrim, O'Connor Park
Wicklow v London, Blessington 

There is only one issue to be decided in Division 4. All the attention will be on O'Connor Park in Tullamore for the meeting of Offaly and Antrim. 

The winner will be promoted along with Longford. A draw will see Offaly progress because of their points difference. 

Prediction: I'm going to go with Antrim to take the spoils in the midlands and get promoted.  

Read Next