And so after 96 matches many of the jigsaw pieces are in place with regard to those who dare to look up and others who face the dreaded drop. There is still much on the line ahead of the final round of games in this year's Allianz Football League.
What we know for certain
Monaghan's decade-long stay in Division 1 was ended on Saturday evening, following their defeat to Tyrone in Omagh.
Donegal and Armagh are promoted from Division 2, but it's relegation for Kildare; their drop to the third tier confirmed after losing to Jim McGuinness' side.
It's successive relegations for the Limerick footballers; their loss to Wicklow on Saturday saw Jimmy Lee's slide down to Division 4.
Division 1
(All Sunday, 1.45pm)
Derry v Roscommon, Celtic Park
Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park
Kerry v Galway, Fitzgerald Stadium
Monaghan v Mayo, Clones
Derry and Dublin are the favourites to claim a final berth. Mickey Harte's side, with a scoring difference of +25, would be confident about booking an Easter Sunday date at Croke Park, even if they fall to a home defeat against Roscommon. A draw would be enough for the Ulster champions to progress.
In the event of a Derry loss and both Dublin and Kerry winning against Tyrone and Galway respectively, all three would finish on 10 points. Kerry's scoring difference is inferior, currently +9, so a big score against the Tribes is required (need a 14-point winning margin), with the Dubs ahead of Derry on +28.
Dublin's win over the Kingdom on 24 February, an emphatic one at that, would see them make the decider if it came down to a head-to-head between the counties.
Burke feels Division 1 woes are standing to Roscommon
At the other end, either Galway or Roscommon will join Monaghan in Division 2 next year.
The Rossies survival hinges on them beating Derry at Celtic Park and Galway losing away to Kerry. That would leave both on 5 points. As they drew their regulation game, score difference would apply and that favours Davy Burke's side.
Division 2
(All Saturday, 7pm)
Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni Park
Cork v Armagh, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Donegal v Meath, Ballybofey
Kildare v Louth, Netwatch Cullen Park
Armagh and Donegal locked down their promotion after wins over Cavan and Kildare at the weekend. The latter, as a result, making the dreaded drop, the only county not to register a league point so far. Kildare must now reach a Leinster final if they are to be part of the Sam Maguire race come early summer.
One from Louth or Fermanagh will accompany the Lilies on the plunge to Division 3. A draw for the Wee County against the aforementioned would be enough to guarantee their safety, even if Fermanagh win away to Cavan. The head-to-head favours Ger Brennan's outfit after troucing their Ulster opponents in Round 6.
Peter Canavan: Ditching league finals would benefit the integrity of the competition
A win for Louth and defeats for Cork (at home to Armagh) and Meath (away to Donegal) would push them up the table to fourth, given their superior difference, so allaying any fears that they may miss out on the All-Ireland race. Meath, as last year's Tailteann Cup winners, are guaranteed a spot in said race.
Division 3
(All Sunday, 2pm)
Antrim v Wicklow, Corrigan Park
Down v Clare, Páirc Esler
Offaly v Limerick, Glenisk O'Connor Park
Sligo v Westmeath, Markievicz Park
Much to be sorted here. Down, Westmeath and Clare are still in the hunt for the promotion spots.
The Banner need a win away to Down. Even a draw, coupled with a Westmeath loss in Sligo would not be enough, as the head-to-head favours the midlanders.
That said, a Clare victory and Westmeath coming away empty-handed from their visit to Markievicz Park, would leave the Munster side top of the standings. After Sunday's draw between Down and Westmeath, the Mourne County's better score difference - +46 v +18 - would see them take the remaining promotion berth.
Limerick are already down. One from Antrim, Offaly and Wicklow will join them.
The Antrim v Wicklow clash will be key, as Offaly will be expected to beat Limerick at home, so moving them to 5 points and safety.
A draw will see Andy McEntee's Saffrons survive, though victory for the Garden County and it's them who'll stay up on the head-to-head rule.
Division 4
(All Sunday, 1pm)
Carlow v London, Netwatch Cullen Park
Leitrim v Tipperary, Avant Money Páirc Seán MacDiarmada
Waterford v Laois, Fraher Field
Wexford v Longford, Chadwicks Wexford Park
Laois' promotion quest hit a bit of speed bump following their narrow loss to Leitrim in the penultimate round. They should now get the job done away to Waterford. That leaves Wexford, Longford and Leitrim chasing the remaining place.
A Longford win at Chadwicks Wexford Park would secure their promotion and have them ahead of Leitrim, if they prevail against Tipperary, on the head-to head.
Victories for Wexford and Leitrim, which would leave both on 10 points, would ensure promotion for the Connacht side. This, after a somewhat controversial win for Andy Moran's men when the sides met in Carrick-on-Shannon on 18 February; the awarding of a late penalty, converted by Ryan O'Rourke, certainly annoyed the Slaneysiders.
