By John Harrington

There’s a lot to be decided this weekend in the final round of Allianz Football League group matches.

Before we examine the state of play in each Division, it’s worth remembering that the 2021 Allianz Football League has a novel format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each of the four divisions have been split into two sub-groups based on geography. Divisions One, Two, and Three all have two groups of four teams each, while Division Four has one group of four and one group of three teams.

When teams finish with equal points for qualification for the concluding stages, or for promotion or relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:

(i) Where two Teams only are involved - the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition;

(ii) Scoring Difference (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For);

(iii) Highest Total Score For;

(iv) Highest Total Goals For;

(iv) A Play-Off

DIVISION 1

After the final round of group matches this weekend the top two teams in Division 1 North and Division 1 South will play each other in the Division 1 semi-finals.

The first team in the North will play the second team in the South with the first team in the South playing the second team in the north.

The winners of these two semi-finals will then contest the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final.

The bottom two teams in Division 1 North and Division 1 South will play each other in the Relegation Play-off, with the third placed teams playing the fourth placed teams, and the two losers of these matches relegated to Division 2.

Permutations for Division 1 North

Saturday May 29

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds, 7:30pm - eir Sport

Tyrone v Monaghan, Healy Park, 7.30pm - GAAGO

It’s all still to play for in Division 1 North will Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, and Monaghan all still having a mathematical chance of finishing in the top two places and qualifying for the semi-finals.

Donegal are currently in pole position and need just to draw with Armagh on Saturday to make the semi-finals. Armagh will definitely secure their place in the semi-finals with a win but could also squeeze through with a draw as long as Monaghan beat Tyrone.

Tyrone are guaranteed semi-final qualification if they defeat Monaghan. A victory for Monaghan could also see them qualify for the semi-finals, but only if Donegal beat Armagh.

If Monaghan win and Armagh draw with Donegal, then Monaghan and Armagh would finish on three points each but Armagh would finish above Monaghan due to the head to head rule.

If both matches finish in a draw then Donegal and Tyrone will advance to the semi-finals.

Permutations for Division 1 South

Sunday May 30

Galway v Dublin, St Jarlath's Park, 3:45pm - TG4

Roscommon v Kerry, Dr Hyde Park, 3.45pm - TG4 Player

Kerry and Dublin are currently in the top two positions in Division 1 South with three points from two matches, with Kerry already guaranteed a place in the semi-finals thanks to their superior scoring difference.

Dublin can also qualify for the Division 1 semi-finals if they defeat or draw with Galway this weekend. If Galway win that match, then they and Kerry will advance to the semi-finals.

Roscommon are destined to finish fourth even if they beat Kerry because they’ll lose out to Galway on the head to head rule if both teams finish on two points each.

DIVISION 2

After the final round of group matches this weekend the top two teams in Division 2 North and Division 2 South will play each other in the Division 1 semi-finals.

The first team in the North will play the second team in the South with the first team in the South playing the second team in the north.

The winners of these two semi-finals will then contest the Allianz Football League Division 2 Final and are promoted to Division 1.

The bottom two teams in Division 2 North and Division 2 South will play each other in the Relegation Play-off, with the third placed teams playing the fourth placed teams, and the two losers of these matches relegated to Division 3.

Permutations for Division 2 North

Sunday May 30

Westmeath v Down, TEG Cusack Park, 1.45pm - GAAGO

Mayo v Meath, Elverys MacHale Park, 1.45pm - GAAGO

Mayo and Meath have already qualified for the semi-finals with two wins from two matches each and play each other this weekend for Division 2 North bragging rights with the winner playing the second team in Division 2 South in the semi-finals and the loser playing the top team in Division 2 South.

Westmeath and Down are already resigned to playing in the relegation play-off semi-finals.

Permutations for Division 2 South

Sunday May 30

Clare v Cork, Cusack Park, 1.45pm - TG4

Laois v Kildare, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 1,45pm - GAAGO

Clare are in pole position in Division 2 South and are guaranteed a semi-final berth if they defeat Cork or draw with them.

If Clare beat Cork or draw with them and Kildare beat Laois, then Clare and Kildare advance to the semi-finals. If Clare beat Cork and Kildare draw with Laois, then Clare and Kildare are in the semi-finals.

If Cork beat Clare and Kildare beat Laois, then Cork, Clare, and Kildare will all finish on four points each and the top two will be decided by scoring difference. Clare currently have a scoring difference of +10, Cork’s is +4, and Kildare’s is +1.

Laois still have a slim chance of semi-final qualification. If Laois beat Kildare and Clare beat Cork, then Laois, Cork, and Kildare will all finish on two points each with scoring difference deciding which team finishes in second place.

Laois’ scoring difference is currently -15, so they have a lot of ground to make up here.

DIVISION 3

After the final round of group matches this weekend the top two teams in Division 3 North and Division 3 South will play each other in the Division 3 semi-finals.

The first team in the North will play the second team in the South with the first team in the South playing the second team in the north.

The winners of these two semi-finals will then contest the Allianz Football League Division 3 Final and are promoted to Division 2.

The bottom two teams in Division 3 North and Division 2 South will play each other in the Relegation Play-off, with the third placed teams playing the fourth placed teams, and the two losers of these matches relegated to Division 4.

Permutations for Division 3 North

Saturday May 29

Cavan v Derry, Kingspan Breffni, 3pm - TG4

Fermanagh v Longford, Brewster Park, 3pm - GAAGO

Derry are in pole position here with two wins from two and their healthy scoring difference means they’re almost certain to qualify for the semi-finals.

If they defeat Cavan or draw with them then they’re assured of a semi-final berth. If they lose to Cavan and Fermanagh defeat Longford, then Derry, Cavan, and Longford will all finish on four points and scoring difference will decide the top two.

Currently Derry’s scoring difference is +35, Cavan’s is +5, and Fermanagh’s is -18 so Fermanagh have a lot of ground to make up there.

If Derry defeat Cavan or draw with them and Fermanagh defeat Longford, then Derry and Fermanagh advance to the semi-finals.

If Cavan defeat Derry and Longford defeat Fermanagh, then Derry and Cavan advance to the semi-finals.

If Derry draw with Cavan and Fermanagh draw with Longford then Fermanagh and Cavan will finish on three points each and Fermanagh will advance to the semi-finals on the head to head rule as they have already beaten Cavan.

If Longford defeat Fermanagh and Derry defeat Cavan, then Fermanagh, Cavan, and Longford will all finish on two points and scoring difference will determine which team joins Derry in the semi-finals. Longford’s scoring difference is currently -22, so they would need Cavan (scoring difference of +5) to lose heavily to Derry to have any chance of overtaking them.

Permutations for Division 3 South

Saturday May 29

Wicklow v Limerick, Aughrim 3pm - GAAGO

Offaly v Tipperary, Bord Na Mona O Connor Park 3pm - GAAGO

Every team in Division 3 South still has a chance of making the semi-finals.

Offaly are in the strongest position with two wins from two so even a draw with Tipperary on Saturday will suffice.

A Limerick win over Wicklow combined with either an Offaly win over Tipperary or a draw in that match would see Offaly and Limerick advance to the semi-finals.

If Tipperary win that match, then things will get interesting. A win for Tipperary and a win for Limerick would mean Offaly, Tipperary, and Limerick all finish on four points each and will need scoring difference to separate them.

Currently Offaly’s scoring difference is +6, Tipperary’s is +1, while Limerick’s is 0.

If Wicklow beat Limerick and Offaly beat Tipperary, then Wicklow, Limerick, and Tipperary will all finish on two points and, once again, scoring difference will decide who makes it to the semi-finals along with Offaly.

Currently Wicklow’s scoring difference is -7, so they have a bit of ground to make up here.

If Wicklow beat Limerick and Tipperary beat Offaly, then Offaly and Tipperary are in the semi-finals.

DIVISION 4

After the final round of group matches this weekend the top two teams in Division 4 North and Division 4 South will play each other in the Division 4 semi-finals.

The first team in the North will play the second team in the South with the first team in the South playing the second team in the north.

The winners of these two semi-finals will then contest the Allianz Football League Division 3 Final and are promoted to Division 3.

The bottom two teams in Division 4 North and the team that finished third in the three-team Division 4 south group will compete for a Division 4 Shield.

The team that finishes fourth in in the North will play the team that finished third in the South in one Shield semi-final. The team that wins this match will then play the team that finished third in the North in the Division 4 Shield Final.

Permutations for Division 4 North

Sunday May 30

Antrim v Leitrim, Corrigan Park, 3pm - GAAGO

Louth v Sligo, Haggardstown, 3pm - GAAGO

Antrim have already qualified for the Division 4 semi-finals with two wins from two matches while Leitrim are out of the running for a semi-final place after two defeats from two matches and will instead play in the Division 4 Shield semi-final.

That means the meeting of Louth and Sligo is the pivotal match this weekend in Division 4 north.

They’re both on two points each, so a win for either will guarantee a place in the semi-finals. A draw will also suffice for Louth, as they have a slightly better scoring difference than Sligo.

Permutations for Division 4 South

Saturday May 29

Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm - GAAGO

Saturday’s clash between Carlow and Wexford is the only remaining match to play in Division 4 South.

If Carlow win, then they and Waterford advance to the semi-finals. If Wexford win, then they, Carlow, and Waterford all finish on two points each and scoring difference will determined which team advances.

Currently Carlow are in best shape here with a scoring difference of +15, with Wexford on -1 and Waterford on -14.