Division One
Last round of fixtures (all 3.30pm):
Armagh 1-21 Kerry 0-24, FT
Galway 0-20 Dublin 1-15, FT
Mayo 4-26 Roscommon 2-11, FT
Monaghan 3-15 Donegal 3-20, FT
Donegal and Kerry to contest league final. Dublin and Monaghan are relegated
Division Two
Last round of fixtures (all 1.15pm):
Derry 1-20 Cavan 0-19, FTKildare 0-25 Louth 1-25, FTOffaly 0-18 Meath 2-22, FTTyrone 0-19 Cork 0-22, FT
Cork and Meath are promoted. Kildare and Offaly are relegated
Division Three
Last round of fixtures (all 2pm):
Down 0-24 Laois 2-22, FTLimerick 2-15 Fermanagh 0-20, FTSligo 2-23 Clare 0-28, FTWexford 2-16 Westmeath 1-18, FT
Down and Wexford are promoted. Limerick and Fermanagh are relegated
Division Four
Last round of fixtures (all 1pm):
Antrim 0-18 London 1-14, FTCarlow 4-22 Leitrim 2-5, FTLongford 2-21 Wicklow 2-20, FTTipperary 4-19 Waterford 0-18, FT
Carlow and Longford are promoted
Here is Gordon Manning’s report on Armagh v Kerry.
Here is the Monaghan v Donegal report
[ Donegal see off game Monaghan challenge to set up Division One decider with KerryOpens in new window ]
That’s all from me, good night!
Here is Malachy Clerkin’s summary of a day of wild events:
“The last day of the football league is decadent and depraved. Four and a half hours of play across 16 matches, with more ups and downs than a trampoline park. The sort of afternoon makes you a little less afraid of the AI revolution – after all, Claude might be able to rewrite the entire works of Shakespeare in the style of Jay-Z at the push of a button but could he tell you what an injury-time goal in Wexford Park will mean for the Tailteann Cup?
“No, Claude would have his ass handed to him by the last day of the league.”
Here is the Mayo v Roscommon report:
[ Mayo smash Roscommon by record margin but miss out on finalOpens in new window ]
From Seán Moran in Salthill:
Dublin have been relegated after a two-point defeat in Galway this afternoon. Having led by five at the break, 0-12 to 0-7, they were reeled in, in the second half by some good Galway shooting and their own indiscipline. Manager Ger Brennan was red-carded at the start of the second half along with Galway backroom member Cian Breathnach-McGinn after an altercation leaving the field at half-time.
Centrefielder Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne and Dylan McHugh were both sinbinned for their part in the fracas, which proved costly for the Cuala man, who went on to pick up a 53rd-minute yellow card, which led to his dismissal.
Con O’Callaghan came back from injury but didn’t look full restored and although he scored a point, he was wide with three others, including two two-point efforts.
In all, Dublin managed just 1-3 in the whole second half and didn’t score at all after the 57th minute. Galway moved from trailing 0-13 to 1-15 to knocking over seven points – the winner a glorious two-pointer from the outstanding Robert Finnerty in the 66th minute.
Here are some of the reports of the earlier games:
Armagh have come back to draw! Armagh 1-21 Kerry 0-24
Galway have beaten Dublin! Galway 0-20 Dublin 1-15
Dublin have been relegated to Division Two
Final table (points difference in brackets)
Donegal 11 points (+17)Kerry 10 points (+33)Mayo 10 points (+26)Roscommon 8 points (-17)Galway 8 points (+7)Armagh 5 points (+5)Dublin 4 points (-4)Monaghan 0 points (-67)
Superb two-pointer by Finnerty! Now Galway lead, and Dublin are going down.
Galway 0-20 Dublin 1-15
Another point for Galway who are flying it now with the extra man. Then Flaherty comes up to take a 45 but miskicks it completely and Dublin survive to stay ahead.
Kerry are back ahead! Points by O’Connor, Clifford and O’Sullivan in close succession put them one point in front, then Turbitt has a goal chance knocked off the line. Fine margins.
Galway equalise! Can Dublin hang on though with the a man down? All the momentum is with Galway.
Galway score two points to get within two and now Dublin are set to get relegated! Constantly changing. Armagh score another point through Cian McConville.
Armagh lead again! Cian McConville and Darragh McMullan with points to get them ahead. Could they stay up? Galway going down as it stands. Mayo going to the final against Donegal as it stands.
Kerry 0-19 Armagh 1-17
Goal for Dublin and red card! Just after a red card for Ó Cofaigh Byrne. McGinnis scores a goal to give Dublin a bigger lead, but now down to 14 men.
Galway 0-13 Dublin 1-14
Con O’Callaghan is off the bench for Dublin as he looks to see out the victory for his team and guarantee their safety.
Goal for Donegal! Oh dear, horror show by Rory Beggan as he comes out the field and loses it, then the Monaghan defence fumbles the ball for an easy goal for Donegal through Shea Malone.
Monaghan 3-13 Donegal 3-16
Donegal back level through Caolain McColgan, a draw is enough for Donegal to make the final but that one is going down to the wire.
Monaghan now lead against Donegal remarkably 3-13 to 2-15, while Kerry have retaken the lead against Armagh, David Clifford with a stunning two-pointer. It’s Kerry 0-19 Armagh 1-15.
Then Conroy scores a two-pointer for Galway to close the gap further. Galway 0-11 Dublin 0-13
A two-pointer for Kerry puts them back level and again Armagh would be in relegation spot. Meanwhile, Monaghan are back level with Donegal, 3-12 to 2-15, which would put Mayo in the final.
Goal for Armagh! Oisin O’Neill with a great run and composure to knock it past the keeper, they go ahead!
Armagh 1-14 Kerry 0-15
Meanwhile, lively start to the second half in Donegal’s game against Monaghan, it’s now an remarkably high scoring 2-15 to 3-11 to Donegal after 44 minutes.
Back to the calculators then for the as it stands table. Armagh would go to 6 points with Dublin and Armagh as it stands. And Galway would be relegated as it stands on points difference.
From Seán Moran in Galway: A dramatic end to the first half in Galway with Robert Finnerty’s penalty being saved by Hugh O’Sullivan with the last kick of the half. There was a question of a second penalty when Eoin Murchan collided with the Galway player as he followed up on the rebound but referee Fergal Kelly blew half-time.
A scatter broke out with players from both sides involved in pushing and shoving as well as Dublin manager Ger Brennan when the teams were going off for the break.
By then, the visitors led by 0-12 to 0-7, a crucial five-point lead for a team that needs to win by four if they are to move out of the relegation zone. Seán Bugler was the main provide with 0-5, including a two-pointer within 20 seconds of the throw-in.
Galway responded with Finnerty very lively but will need to find some scores if they are to escape the prospect of going down themselves, before a crowd of 9,274.
From Malachy Clerkin on Michael Lyster, who has died at the age of 71:
The death has taken place of Michael Lyster, former presenter of The Sunday Game and for so long the face of Gaelic games on RTÉ. Lyster, 71, retired from broadcasting in 2018 having been a presence on the airwaves since 1979. He had heart problems just over a decade ago and had been ill in recent weeks.
Lyster was a hugely popular figure, both in public and within the industry. Known for his unruffled, amiable, no-big-deal style, he steered The Sunday Game through decades of growth, always the calm voice amid whatever rows and tumult was going on between pundits in studio.
[ Michael Lyster, long-time presenter of The Sunday Game, dies aged 71Opens in new window ]
The death has taken place of Michael Lyster, for so long the face of Gaelic games on RTÉ. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Division One as it stands table at half-time:
Donegal 11 points (+14)Kerry 11 points (+35)Mayo 10 points (+23)Roscommon 8 points (-11)Dublin 6 points (+3)Galway 6 points (0)Armagh 4 points (+3)Monaghan 0 points (-64)
Big rally by Armagh, McMullan, Turbitt, O’Neill on target to get within two at half-time
Armagh 0-10 Kerry 0-12
Mad scenes in Galway v Dublin as Finnerty’s penalty is saved by O’Sullivan, who also scored a fine two-pointer earlier in the game, in the last action of the half and looked like it could have been another penalty after Finnerty was hit heavily. Which sparked a mini brawl and then afters with another scuffle which involved Dublin manager Ger Brennan. After all that, it’s still Galway 0-7 Dublin 0-12.
Goal for Donegal! At the very end of the half, they go back ahead through Jamie Brennan. Entertaining half in Clones, five goals in one half.
Monaghan 3-7 Donegal 2-11
Goal for Mayo! Very impressive performance by Mayo, blowing Roscommon away. Aidan O’Shea scores the third goal. Then another goal from O’Donoghue from a penalty.
Mayo 4-11 Roscommon 1-5
So as it stands, the final would be between Kerry and Mayo and Donegal would drop out. Armagh would be relegated alongside Monaghan. But a long way to go. Galway fighting back against Dublin and within three points with just over five minutes to go in the half.
Two goals by Mayo! Fantastic team play for them both as Paul Towey gets the first, Jack Carney gets the second. Blistering spell by Mayo.
Mayo 2-7 Roscommon 1-3
Two goals for Monaghan! Stephen O’Hanlon scores, followed by an Aaron Carey point to get Farney within one. Weak defending as Ryan O’Toole waltzes through to score, keeper could have done better. Monaghan now lead.
Monaghan 3-5 Donegal 1-9
Goal for Roscommon! Ben O’Carroll levels the scores against Mayo with a nice finish.
Mayo 0-5 Roscommon 1-2
Drama in Division Three! Wexford have stormed back to beat Westmeath despite losing for most of the game, Sean Ryan nailing a goal in the last minute to win from two points down. That means they’ve pipped Westmeath to Division Two football next season. At the other end of the table, it’s Sligo who stay up with a Jack Lavin point in the closing minute.
Down 0-24 Laois 2-22, FTLimerick 2-15 Fermanagh 0-20, FTSligo 2-23 Clare 0-28, FTWexford 2-16 Westmeath 1-18, FT
Table:
Down 12 points (+36)Wexford 10 points (+17)Westmeath 8 points (+21)Laois 7 points (+1)Sligo 6 points (-13)Clare 6 points (+5)Limerick 5 points (-27)Fermanagh 2 points (-31)
Donegal are not messing about and have scored 1-3 in the opening stages against Monaghan, Monaghan responding themselves though with a goal through Andrew Woods.
Monaghan 1-1 Donegal 1-3
Meanwhile, Kerry have got the first five points against Armagh, nightmare start for the Orchard County as they battle relegation.
Armagh 0-0 Kerry 0-5
Dublin have made a great start with a two-pointer from Bugler within the first minute and two more scores to follow.
Galway 0-0 Dublin 0-4
From Seán Moran: The big team news on a sunny afternoon in Pearse Stadium, Salthill is that Dublin captain Con O’Callaghan has been named on the bench. He had been missing since the fourth-round match against Kerry in February. Galway make two changes to the announced team. Kieran Molloy replaces Ciarán Mulhern and Ryan Roche starts instead of Liam Ó Conghaile. There is a minute’s silence for the late Michael Lyster.
Dublin need to win this by at least four points to avoid relegation.
A big turnaround in Division Three as Limerick now lead Fermanagh by a point, but remarkably it’s not enough to make a difference as both Laois and Sligo have come from behind to lead their matches too. Westmeath heading for promotion to Division Two as they lead Wexford by five.
Some sad news to bring you as it has been reported that long-time presenter of the Sunday Game Michael Lyster has died. A giant of GAA broadcasting. Rest in peace.
Westmeath still ahead in Division Three, now by five, while Limerick are fighting back against Fermanagh and have closed within two.
The top dogs in Division One are up next and here are the permutations courtesy of Gordon Manning:
The race for a league final spot is a four-team sprint to the line between Donegal (nine points), Kerry (nine), Mayo (eight) and Roscommon (eight).
Should either Kerry or Donegal fail to win their last game, a league final spot would possibly open up for either Mayo or Roscommon. Mayo lost last year’s decider to Kerry while Roscommon last played in a Division 1 decider in 1981. For Mark Dowd, it would be a notable achievement to guide Roscommon to a final in his first season at the helm.
The relegation pincers have already grabbed Monaghan (zero points), who are the only team in the division with nothing but pride to play for in the last round of games. They will be joined in Division 2 next year by either Dublin (four points), Armagh (four) or Galway (six). With Ger Brennan’s Dubs travelling to Salthill on Sunday, the outcome of that contest will be pivotal to the final standings. A draw would be enough for Galway to survive.
Kerry’s Joe O’Connor ahead of the game. Photograph: Tom O’Hanlon/Inpho
Division Three update: All eyes on Westmeath v Wexford with the winner getting promoted and going well for Westmeath so far with a four-point lead. Down are already promoted and Fermanagh are already relegated, so it’s not looking good for Limerick, who need a result and trail Fermanagh by eight points.
Down 0-11 Laois 0-12, 39 minsLimerick 1-3 Fermanagh 0-14, 39 minsSligo 0-15 Clare 0-19, 40 minsWexford 0-8 Westmeath 0-12, 41 mins
Division Two results
Derry 1-20 Cavan 0-19, FTKildare 0-25 Louth 1-25, FTOffaly 0-18 Meath 2-22, FTTyrone 0-19 Cork 0-22, FT
Table:
Cork 12 points (+5)Meath 12 points (+34)Louth 10 points (+21)Derry 10 points (+46)Tyrone 5 points (+5)Cavan 4 points (-24)Kildare 3 points (-23)Offaly 0 points (-64)
Full-times in Division Two…
Cork and Meath are promoted!
Cork beat Tyrone 0-22 to 0-19
Meath beat Offaly 2-22 to 0-18
Kildare have been relegated after losing 1-25 to 0-25 to Louth.
Two-pointers in Tyrone and Kildare games late on giving something to think about. Louth lead Kildare 1-25 to 0-25. Cork lead Tyrone 0-21 to 0-19.
Cork are asserting their dominance against Tyrone and now lead 0-19 to 0-16 with less than 10 minutes gone. A draw will do them, so it’s looking good for the Rebels.
Then an unusual two-pointer by Hurley, where he drops it short and the breeze and bounce carries it over the bar to give Cork a five-point lead.
Tyrone 0-16 Cork 0-21
The final results:
Antrim 0-18 London 1-14, FTCarlow 4-22 Leitrim 2-5, FTLongford 2-21 Wicklow 2-20, FTTipperary 4-19 Waterford 0-18, FT
The final table in Division Four:
Carlow 10 points (+37)Longford 9 points (+3)Antrim 8 points (+14)Wicklow 8 points (+25)Tipperary 8 points (+13)London 7 points (-3)Leitrim 6 points (-26)Waterford 0 points (-63)
Longford go ahead! Two points in the last minutes, Daniel Reynolds and Joseph Hagan win the game against all odds! They will be promoted.
Wicklow 2-20 Longford 2-21
In Division Four, an incredible comeback by Longford, who were behind throughout and nine points down at one stage. They got it back to a level game, where a win would leapfrog them ahead of Wicklow to promotion. But Jonathan Carlin has scored a point in the 73rd minute to put Wicklow back ahead.
Wicklow 2-20 Longford 2-19
Cork have fought back! A two-pointer from play by Steven Sherlock followed a point by Dara Sheedy and they’re two ahead again. Back in the promotion spots. Then Sherlock knocks over a free, big change in the game state.
Tyrone 0-14 Cork 0-17
Some trouble with the video coverage at Tyrone, but they have taken the lead 0-13 to 0-12, according to their account, Darren McCurry with the point to get them ahead.
As it stands, would put Derry in Division One.
Louth have taken control again against Kildare, they lead 0-23 to 0-17 in a free-flowing contest. Mulroy with a beautiful two-pointer off the outside of the boot. A goal chance for Kildare then followed, but an excellent block by Mulroy, showing another side to his game.
Kildare fighting back against Louth, not going to Division Three without a fight. A good start to the half and a two-pointer by Brian McLoughlin gets them within three.
Kildare 0-15 Louth 0-18
Division Three is under way and Division Two is back for the second half. Division Four matches coming to a conclusion.
Tyrone have made a strong start against Cork in the second half and have levelled the scores, McElholm with a point after a goal chance. Then Mattie Donnelly gives Tyrone the lead! But Óg Jones immediately responds.
Tyrone 0-10 Cork 0-10
So it’s looking good for Meath, meanwhile it’s going to be tight for the other place. Tyrone looked to be gaining in confidence against Cork and got to within one point. Should Cork slip up, then despite being currently fourth, Derry would take advantage as points difference is used when three teams are involved instead of head-to-head. All to play for then.
Division Two half-time update:
Derry 1-9 Cavan 0-9, HTKildare 0-10 Louth 0-17, HTOffaly 0-9 Meath 2-9, HTTyrone 0-8 Cork 0-9, HT
As it stands table:
Cork 12 points (+3)
Meath 12 points (+29)
Louth 10 points (+25)
Derry 10 points (+45)
Tyrone 5 points (+7)
Cavan 4 points (-23)
Kildare 3 points (-27)
Offaly 0 points (-59)
Louth have taken charge against Kildare, and now lead 0-17 to 0-9, McDonnell with a nice two-pointer.
Tyrone meanwhile have fought back against Cork, and almost scored a goal, hitting the crossbar. Dominating the past few minutes and it’s a slender lead for Cork 0-9 to 0-8.
Goal for Meath! Morris slots away a penalty and then scores a point after it to give Meath a commanding lead and put them in a strong position for promotion.
Offaly 0-8 Meath 2-7
Division Four half-time update:
Antrim 0-11 London 0-6, HTCarlow 1-11 Leitrim 2-3, HTLongford 0-9 Wicklow 2-9, HTTipperary 3-11 Waterford 0-10, HT
Carlow have come from behind to take control against Leitrim. Wicklow six ahead against Longford. As it stands Carlow and Wicklow would be promoted.
Derry well ahead now, 1-8 to 0-5 against Cavan, they had been in promotion position as it stood, but Meath have got back level with Offaly and a draw is enough for the Royals.
Ciaran Keenan had a chance for a goal for Louth, but boxed out and could only punch it over, Louth lead 0-7 to 0-6 there. Meath not having it all their own way against Offaly with a two-pointer through Daire McDaid to take the lead, although they have the breeze. Cork lead Tyrone 0-7 to 0-3 halfway through the first half.
Kildare had led 0-4 to 0-1 but Louth have come back to lead 0-6 to 0-5, Tadhg McDonnell with an excellent two-pointer.
Goal for Derry! Off the ground, Loughlin into the corner, after Cavan had led by three.
Derry 1-0 Cavan 0-3
Cork have taken a 0-4 to 0-1 lead over Tyrone, after no points in the first seven minutes, but coming to life in the past few.
Goal for Meath! Menton takes it well, getting in ahead of the keeper after a direct ball, a point for Lynch then follows
Offaly 0-2 Meath 1-1
Alex Beirne scores the first point of the day in Kildare v Louth. Conor Melia scores a two-pointer for Offaly to give them a two-point lead against Meath.
Good start by Wicklow, 1-4 to 0-1 up early doors as a win would get them promoted. Two early goals for Leitrim give them the lead against Carlow, as the Division Two matches are about to get under way.
An early point for Wicklow against Longford in Division Four, where all matches got under way at 1pm. Per Gordon Manning:
“There is a web of head-to-head permutations as well, but essentially there are only two teams fully in control of their fate – Carlow and Wicklow. If Joe Murphy’s Carlow beat Leitrim they would be promoted, irrespective of results elsewhere. The same goes for Oisín McConville’s Wicklow against Longford. Should either or both sides fail to win, a five-strong chasing pack would suddenly be in the mix as teams try to snatch a promotion spot in the tightest of divisions. All told, it’s probable scoring difference and/or head-to-head records will ultimately play a role in painting the promotion picture come Sunday afternoon.”
Here is how the tables look before the matches begin:
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the final round of the National Football League, with 26 teams having something to play for in the final games.
First up it’s Division Four at 1pm, where seven teams are vying for the two promotion spots, led by Wicklow and Carlow. Then at 1.15pm it’s Division Two, where Cork and Meath are in pole position for promotion, but Derry and Louth are still in with a chance. Kildare, Tyrone and Cavan looking to avoid relegation. In Division Three at 2pm, it’s a straight shootout between Wexford and Westmeath for promotion, with Limerick, Sligo and Laois looking to stay up.
Finally in Division One at 3.30pm, Donegal, Kerry, Roscommon and Mayo have a chance of making Division One final, with Galway, Dublin and Armagh battling relegation.