Battles in all tiers on Super Sunday

The 2025 Allianz Football League has undoubtedly been dominated by the new rule enhancements, but with one round of fixtures remaining, it's clear that it has been one of the most dramatic in many seasons when it comes to results.

With the exception of Division 4, which could still see some late drama, nearly ever other team has something to play for in their final match – relegated sides Derry, Westmeath and Leitrim are the exceptions.

Division 2 seems primed for the most drama this Sunday, especially as Tailteann Cup qualification means that there are further potential consequences even if you finish outside the top two or bottom two.

FIXTURES AND TABLES

Football fans are in for a Super Sunday of drama and here are the permutations across the divisions.

DIVISION 1

Armagh v Derry

Galway v Kerry

Mayo v Donegal

Tyrone v Dublin

This is a numbers-based game so with that in mind, we’re going to work on the assumption that all teams want to win this weekend. We’ll let the readers cast any aspersions.

Here are the basics, five teams go into the last round of fixtures with a chance of making the final with four teams also facing the possibility of joining the already-relegated Derry in Division 2 next season.

Let’s start with the Oakleafers, who travel to the Cathedral City with nothing to play for, but All-Ireland champions Armagh are in a Round 7 relegation battle.

This is Kieran McGeeney’s 11th season in charge and in seven of those campaigns the Orchard County have entered the final day with the possibility of promotion or relegation.

Victory over Derry doesn’t guarantee anything, but they are safe if they win and Tyrone can’t win against Dublin. An Armagh win, Tyrone win and Mayo loss to Donegal or Armagh draw, Tyrone draw and Kerry loss would leave three teams on six/seven points, and scoring difference would come into play.

Kerry could draw with Galway too and make that a four-way, tie with Armagh currently holding the worst scoring record of the quartet.

Derry are the only Division 1 side with nothing to play for

As well as that scoring difference permutation, Malachy O’Rourke’s Tyrone know that if they better Armagh they are safe. Matching will not do – unless it’s a win that takes them level with more than one side – as their Ulster rivals have the head-to-head advantage on them.

A win for Kerry keeps them safe. A draw would be enough for Mayo. Even losses may be OK depending on how Armagh and Tyrone get on.

In terms of the final, if the three teams at the top – Galway, Donegal and Dublin – all win, it’ll come down to scoring difference, with two from Galway (+17), Dublin (+8) and Donegal (+4) progressing.

If Mayo beat Donegal, they’ll have a Croke Park date if either Dublin or Galway lose – or if both draw.

Kerry can reach the final if they beat Galway, but they’d need Dublin or Donegal to lose and then hope to win the scoring difference race. A Tir Chonaill win over Mayo could still see them through if Dublin lose in Omagh.

DIVISION 2

Cavan v Cork

Louth v Meath

Monaghan v Down

Westmeath v Roscommon

There's an epic promotion race in Division 2

Like Division 1, five teams can reach the final but Cork would need to beat Cavan and then hope that there are some big shocks elsewhere, namely Meath and Roscommon losing to Louth and Westmeath respectively. If that happens, it'll be two from four, separated by scoring difference for the right to play Monaghan in the final.

Not that the Oriel County have punched their ticket to Croke Park. A draw against Down will be enough, but a loss coupled with wins for at least two from Cavan, Meath and Roscommon will bring scoring difference into play with, again, two teams from four progressing via that method.

For Cavan, Meath and Roscommon, the aim will be to better the results of those closest, and that would be enough.

Cork may have an outside chance of a final spot, but they are not safe from the drop.

Last week’s win over Louth was crucial, but a loss in Cavan and wins for Down and Louth would see them in a scoring difference battle with those two.

Louth crucially have the head-to-head advantage on Down, so matching their result will be enough, unless it’s two wins and a Cork loss and then it will go to the scoring.

For the Mourne County, it’s relatively simple – lose in Clones and they are down. A draw would be enough if Louth lose to Meath. If both Down and Louth lose, it’s the Ulster side that will be back in Division 3.

Westmeath are already relegated.

DIVISION 3

Clare v Offaly

Fermanagh v Laois

Kildare v Antrim

Sligo v Leitrim

Offaly were tipped by many to go down but the decision to take in Mickey Harte to work with Declan Kelly is so close to paying dividends as they are on the cusp of an unexpected promotion.

With 10 points from 12, avoiding defeat against Clare would guarantee that they go up. Even if they lose to the Banner, due to the three-way tie coming down to scoring difference, it would still require Peter Keane’s side to win by 11 points and for Kildare to beat Antrim for Offaly to miss out.

With that in mind, an 11-point win for Clare takes the Banner up regardless of what happens elsewhere.

Kildare were storming through the division but losses to the other two promotion-chasers hav left them with work to do. They must better Clare’s result, or if Clare beat Offaly, win and hope that scoring difference gets them across the line.

Offaly are on the cusp of a dramatic promotion

Fermanagh, an innocent part in the Leitrim walkover saga of Round 6, have an outside chance of going up. A win over Laois and losses for Kildare and Clare will do it, while they could still end up in a scoring difference battle if one or two of their rivals draw – and the GAA will surely be hoping that’s avoided given that the Leitrim result will come back into focus and rule books will be examined.

Steven Poacher’s side are confirmed as relegated and one of Antrim, Sligo and Laois will join them.

Laois look very safe. They’d need to lose to Fermanagh, see Sligo draw with Leitrim and Antrim beat Kildare and then it would be a three-way tie decided by scoring difference. They are currently 26 points better off than Sligo so they have that extra layer of protection too.

A win for Sligo over Leitrim will be good enough for them to stay up, or if they draw or lose, Antrim failing to beat Kildare.

Antrim need to win in Kildare and hope for a shock at Markievicz Park.

DIVISION 4

Limerick v Waterford

London v Carlow

Longford v Wexford

Tipperary v Wicklow

There are only two teams with anything to play for in Division 4 as Wexford have escaped the basement battle with two games to spare.

It’s all about who joins them, Limerick or Wicklow.

James Naughton’s late free to earn the Treaty County a draw against Oisín McConville’s side last weekend has had a massive impact on things.

Miss and Wicklow held all the aces ahead of their final game with Tipperary, but now they are depending on bottom-placed Waterford to do them an unlikely favour.

It's all about Limerick and Wicklow in Division 4

A Limerick win against Waterford and they are up, simple as that. A draw coupled with a Wicklow win would still require a massive win from the Leinster side – they currently are 13 points behind Limerick on scoring difference.

A loss for Limerick would open the door for Wicklow to go into the final with a win in Tipp.

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