Permutations ahead of Allianz Football League final round

FINAL ROUND TO COME:  Eoghan Frayne of Meath is held up by Sean Powter of Cork during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Meath and Cork at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Division 1

A point against Roscommon will be enough to secure a final place for Derry. They could still lose and qualify providing a combination of their loss, a Kerry win over Galway and a Dublin victory over Tyrone doesn’t squeeze them out on score difference.

Matching Kerry’s result in their game in Croke Park will see Dublin into the decider. Roscommon need to beat Derry and hope a Kerry win over Galway can see them leapfrog Pádraic Joyce’s team on score difference into sixth place.

Galway and Roscommon drew their head-to-head meeting.

Remaining fixtures:

Sunday, March 24

Kerry v Galway, Fitzgerald Stadium 1.45pm (S. Mulhare, Laois)

Monaghan v Mayo, St Tiernach’s Park 1.45pm (N. Cullen, Fermanagh)

Derry v Roscommon, Celtic Park 1.45pm (D. Gough, Meath)

Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park 1.45pm (B. Cassidy, Derry).

Division 2

Donegal and Armagh make swift returns to the top flight.

Cork will want to take something from Armagh next Saturday to consolidate, if not improve their current fourth spot, which was good enough to get them into the Sam Maguire Cup last year.

Louth require a draw against relegated Kildare to avoid joining them in Division 3 next year. Their superior score difference along with defeats for Cork and Meath could see them jump as high as fourth. 

Fermanagh must defeat Cavan and Louth to lose to Kildare to stave off demotion.

Remaining fixtures:

Saturday, March 23

Kildare v Louth, Netwatch Cullen Park 7pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan)

Donegal v Meath, MacCumhaill Park 7pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon)

Cork v Armagh, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 7pm (B. Griffin, Kerry)

Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni 7pm (K. Eannetta, Tyrone).

Division 3

Sunday’s Westmeath-Down draw in Mullingar meant no team has yet been promoted.

Down are a point away from promotion but lose to Clare and The Banner will go up at their expense

 Westmeath have the head-to-head edge on Clare and also know a point against Sligo will be good enough to play Division 2 football in 2025.

Limerick’s defeat to Wicklow means they have been relegated. Oisín McConville’s side need to beat Antrim to remain in the division. A point against Limerick will suffice in Offaly’s fight against the drop.

Remaining fixtures:

Sunday, March 24

Sligo v Westmeath, Markievicz Park 2pm (J. Hayes, Limerick)

Offaly v Limerick, Glenisk O’Connor Park 2pm (J. Gilmartin, Sligo)

Down v Clare, Páirc Esler 2pm (D. Coldrick, Meath)

Antrim v Wicklow, Corrigan Park 2pm (K. Faloon, Armagh).

Division 4

Laois were seconds away from promotion against Leitrim but should crown a fine campaign when they face Waterford this weekend.

Wexford and Longford clash in Wexford and both are on eight points but then so are Leitrim who face off with Tipperary in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Leitrim have the head-to-head edge over Wexford and Longford have it over Leitrim.

Remaining fixtures:

Sunday, March 24

Wexford v Longford, Chadwicks Wexford Park 1pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath)

Waterford v Laois, Fraher Field 1pm (D. Hickey, Carlow)

Leitrim v Tipperary, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada 1pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan)

Carlow v London, Netwatch Cullen Park 1om (S. Mulvihill, Kerry).