Division 2
Kildare sealed their promotion to Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League with a 10-point win over neighbours Meath in Trim.
Brian Dowling's side were in pole position and boasted a massive score difference advantage following heavy wins over Tyrone, Donegal and Derry in recent weeks.
However, it would have counted for nothing had they lost today's pivotal Round 6 encounter against Meath, the hosts having the chance to join them on eight points and jump into second spot on the head-to-head.
Chief marksman David Qualter hit 0-09 as they led 0-14 to 0-08 at the break. Qualter had three more frees at the start of the second half before a Meath rally narrowed the deficit to five points by the 50th minute mark.
However, Jack Sheridan's 51st minute goal was key in settling the nerves at the time when Kildare were wobbling.
Emboldened, the favourites pressed for home, Rian Boran, Paul Dolan and James Burke landing scores to nudge their advantage into double-digits.
While Jack Regan hit a 63rd minute goal for Meath, it was too late to cause any real jitters for the visitors, who saw it out on a 1-24 to 1-14 scoreline, booking their spot in the league final against Down.
Derry easily disposed of Donegal in the Division 2 relegation shoot-out in Letterkenny, the hosts dropping into the fourth tier.
It was a landmark campaign for Donegal following their shock win over Kerry but they were overwhelmed here, mustering just 0-09 as Johnny McGarvey's side ran riot.
Derry led 0-15 to 0-03 at the end of a one-sided first half, Christy McNaughton, Eamon Conway and Richie Mullan filling their boots on the scoreboard.
The game was put to bed entirely within moments of the re-start, Shea Cassidy powering up the end-line before firing the opening goal.
Thomas Brady lashed home the second after taking a pass from the prolific McNaughton. Derry ran out 2-23 to 0-09 in the finish to retain their Division 2 status and send down their neighbours.
In the remaining game, Kerry dispatched an already relegated Tyrone 1-19 to 1-13 in Carrickmore.
Derry's win in Donegal meant that the Kingdom could have fallen into the fourth tier but they were never in huge danger in Tyrone, Shane Nolan firing an early goal as they built up a 1-09 to 0-05 lead by half-time.
They kept the hosts beyond arm's length for most of the second half, the lead oscillating around the 10-point mark for most of the game until Keifer Morgan's goal narrowed it to six with three minutes remaining in normal time.
However, there was little prospect they'd be caught, late points from Podge Boyle and Oisin Maunsell easing them to a third win of the campaign and ensuring their safety.
Division 3
Mayo secured promotion to Division 2 with a six-point win over Wicklow at Echelon Park.
The game's decisive moment arguably happened early, with Wicklow's John Toomey sent off after just four minutes for careless use of the hurl.
Mayo took command, Joe Burke's 19th minute goal sending them in ahead at the break, leading 1-09 to 0-06. Liam Lavin hit the net early in the second half and the game looked done and dusted but Wicklow improbably rallied, Pádraig Doyle nudging home a goal to bring them back into the contest.
Luke Evans' goal somehow brought it back to a one-point game with 15 minutes remaining, but Cormac Phillips hit back with a goal to steady the ship for the Connacht side.
Sean Kenny's late penalty effectively made sure of the game for Mayo, who came away with a 4-15 to 2-15 victory and will ascend to the third tier for 2026.
Cathal Kenny's late goal gave Roscommon a narrow victory over Sligo in a game relocated to Bekan.
At the start of the day, the Rossies were in danger of joining their opponents in Division 4 next year though, in the end, London's heavy win over Armagh meant they were safe regardless.
Sligo, already doomed at the foot of the table, raced into a 1-06 to 0-01 lead, Paul O'Leary notching the goal. Roscommon rallied late in the half, Conor Mulry's goal completing the comeback as they were tied 1-07 apiece at the break.
Thomas Cawley's goal early in the second half saw Sligo wrestle the initiative and they maintained the edge until the 69th minute when Kenny found the net, the Rossies squeezing home on a 2-15 to 2-13 score.
Over in the Athletic Grounds, Armagh had Kenny's late goal to thank for their survival, as they slumped to a heavy defeat to London.
Karl McKeegan's side finished with an inferior score difference of -36 - amply contributed to by their 11-point loss here - but Roscommon's late strike meant they stayed safe courtesy of their head-to-head win over Cavan.
They were outclassed by London on the day, the Exiles concluding their 2025 league programme with a 100% record.
Division 4
Fermanagh joined Louth as the promoted teams here, this after the Ernesiders ran out 2-21 to 0-10 victors against Lancashire in Abbottstown.
Longford won a high-scoring duel with Monaghan, 3-15 to 2-13, while Warwickshire hammered Leitrim 4-14 to 0-07.
