Allianz Football League Round 7: All You Need to Know

SUNDAY 22 MARCH

Allianz FL Division 1

Armagh v Kerry, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm

Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, 3.30pm

Mayo v Roscommon, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3.30pm

Monaghan v Donegal, St Tiernach's Park, 3.30pm

Allianz FL Division 2

Derry v Cavan, Celtic Park, 1.15pm,

Kildare v Louth, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 1.15pm,

Offaly v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 1.15pm

Tyrone v Cork, O'Neills Healy Park, 1.15pm

Allianz FL Division 3

Down v Laois, Páirc Esler, Newry, 2pm

Limerick v Fermanagh, Mick Neville Park, 2pm

Sligo v Clare, Markievicz Park, 2pm

Wexford v Westmeath, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm

Allianz FL Division 4

Antrim v London, Erins Own, Cargin (Toomebridge), 1pm

Carlow v Leitrim, Netwatch Cullen Park, 1pm

Longford v Wicklow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm

Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm

TV

The TG4 cameras will be live for the meeting of Kildare v Louth and Galway v Dublin. The following are available to watch live on Spórt TG4 YouTube: Mayo v Roscommon, Monaghan v Donegal, Derry v Cavan, Offaly v Meath and Tyrone v Cork. Wexford v Westmeath live via the TG4 Player/App. The Armagh v Kerry clash is live on BBC iPlayer & GAA+,

Highlights and reaction to all the weekend's action on Allianz League Sunday, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, 9.35pm.

RADIO

Live commentaries and updates on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport and Spórt an Lae on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

WEATHER

Generally cloudy for a time with a little rain and drizzle moving southeastwards. However, a clearance to mostly dry weather with some bright or sunny spells will extend from the northwest to most parts through the morning and afternoon. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees in light to moderate southwesterly winds, veering northwesterly. For more go to met.ie.

Plot thicker than normal ahead of the final round

Spring is in the air. Daffodils are in full bloom. And the pitches are starting to rediscover their lushness after absorbing the torrents that fell from the sky in January and February. The football league has reached its final round.

Only, Monaghan, Down, Offaly and Waterford have nothing to play for in terms of meaningful upward progression, though the quartet could play their part in scuppering the ambitions of others.

My colleague Niall McCoy has gone through the various permutations across the four divisions in terms of up and down. In previous years, that assignment was a relatively straightforward one; much of the promotion/relegation story was known in advance of this concluding round. But the league of '26 has thrown up a final-day scenario mirroring an intricate web.

Endless possibilities for 28 counties. Thankfully the throw-in times are staggered, enough breathing space to get one's head around who has the head-to-head advantage and how every point, two-pointer and goal will affect scoring difference, should that be the ultimate determinant.

Kerry bare fangs as league's Super Sunday approaches

It is worth recapping that Kildare are guaranteed a place in the Sam Maguire after winning the Tailteann Cup last year. As things stand the Lilywhites occupy a relegation spot in Division 2. If they fall through the trap door, that then will have a bearing on who loses the Division 3 final, as that side will have to reach a provincial decider in order to earn their spot in the summer's top-tier competition.

Down will play either Wexford or Westmeath in the Division 3 decider. In 2024, the Mourne County lost to Westmeath in that year's final, this after topping the section, with the Tailteann their ultimate summer destination, a competition they would eventually triumph in.

Their important takeaway here and it is worth repeating: A league final winner will be considered a higher seed in the All-Ireland Championship than the team they defeated in the final. So there is much at stake come the divisional finals next weekend.

Marks handed out before the final assessment

Ahead of what for many teams will be their most pressurised game this spring, it's time to assess their worth so far. A mark out of 10 that sums up what they've offered.

DIVISION 1

Donegal: Fresh names on board this spring and a lot to like about their athleticism and running power. The traits of a Jim McGuinness side given full expression. They found the Rossies a bridge too far amid the Hyde Park hailstones, though. Should reach a league final, in spite of Jimmy's comments earlier in the week. (8/10)

Kerry: Were a little casual, let say slack in games against Roscommon and Galway, while David Clifford was absent in their loss away to Donegal. The green and gold showed their intent with telling effect against Mayo. Should we hand over the available silverware to them now? No. But they'll be hard rock to dislodge. (9/10)

Mayo: Moranball, Kobe, scoring two-pointers for fun. And then came the reality check in Tralee. Defensive woes, which were apparent throughout the spring, were brutally exposed. Still there is more to glean on the debit side for Andy Moran's men. They could end up in a league final, but at this juncture would be happy enough to bypass a trip to Croker. (7.5/10)

Roscommon: A lot to be chippy about for the Rossies. There was the blip against Dublin but that aside they've played with no-little abandon and in Enda Smith they have a player of the spring contender. They'll also take great heart from the second wind they found in accounting for Donegal. (8/10)

Galway: Still in the relegation mix but Pádraig Joyce will be happy enough with how things have gone so far. Happy enough, in the knowledge that if the gets a settled squad the side are capable of hitting the heights again come the summer. (7/10)

Armagh: On their day, as evidenced by the surge that took them past Dublin last weekend, they remain a genuine contender. Oisín Conaty's wonder goal a cue for others to be brave in front of the posts. A lack of green flags throughout the league may ultimately cost them a place in the top flight. Facing the Kingdom on home soil the ultimate test, but good prep for what could be a lengthy Ulster campaign. (7/10)

Dublin: Mixing more of the not so good with the good, though the ratio is greater in the former. Kickout malfunction late on against Armagh had them chasing shadows, and with it the loss of two points that could have kept them safe. Ger Brennan accentuating a risk-reward strategy as he looks for capital gain. He also needs to look at finding a mean streak that would serve his side well around the middle. (6./10)

Monaghan: Not a lot to say. Should have taken something from their game with the Dubs but too many below-par performances. (4/10)

DIVISION 2

Cork: Aside from their mauling away to Derry, Cork have shown a consistency that manager John Cleary has been calling for. Their response against Kildare in the last round was impressive. Will be disappointed if they don't make Division 1, this after what is now a ten-year absence from the top table. Should be confident heading to a somewhat out-of-sorts Tyrone in their final game. (8/10)

Meath: Still on an upward curve under Robbie Brennan. Their ability to get either a two-pointer or a run of orange flags has been key in winning a few of their games. Should seal the deal with regard to promotion away to Offaly. (9/10)

Derry: More good than bad from a Derry outfit who have rediscovered what it's like to win matches. Will be hoping neighbours Tyrone do them a favour against Cork, as the expectation that they will take care of business at home to Cavan. A return to Division 1 would be a positive start to a year where even better things could be in the offing for Ciarán Meenagh's side. (7.5/10)

Louth: The win over Derry has them in the promotion mix, a victory all the more notable as they were short a few regulars. Will now fancy a winning end to the campaign away to Kildare. (7.5/10)

Tyrone: The favourites to top the section have underperformed and could find themselves dragged into the relegation mire. Need a performance of substance against the Rebels, jus three weeks out from their Ulster opener. (6/10)

Cavan: They eventually got the job done against Offaly but there is no great confidence that they can get something against Derry. If that comes to pass, they will survive if Kildare lose. (5/10)

Kildare: There is potential here, just haven't seen enough of it thus far. The manner of their defeat to Meath was alarming. Relegation would be a setback ahead of gracing of what is now a more competitive Leinster battle. (5/10)

Offaly: Squad depth an issue as the Faithful shipped some heavy defeats. (4/10)

DIVISION 3

Down: Mission accomplished in gaining promotion for a side whom you suspect would be more than competitive in Division 2. (8.5/10)

Westmeath: A few speed dumps along the way, but they know a draw will be enough against Wexford to see them back where they feel they should be. (7/10)

Wexford: After a mid-league blip, John Hegarty's side responded well with impressive wins against Sligo and Clare. Promotion for the Slaneysiders would be one of the stories of the spring. (8/10)

Clare: That loss to Wexford ended their upward push. A trek made more difficult for the Banner with losses in their opening two games. (6/10)

Laois: A defeat away to Down and wins for Sligo and Limerick could leave the Midlanders in jeopardy, though score difference is in their favour. Not a campaign for Laois to get too excited about. (5.5/10)

Sligo: The Dessie Sloyan/Eamonn O'Hara ticket hasn't yielded a significant dividend so far. Being competitive for much of the 70 minutes against Down should stand to them when Clare visit Markievicz Park. (5/10)

Limerick: A positive early showing in the loss to Down we thought was the promise of things to come. Not the case for the Treaty who know that a draw for Sligo will send them down. (4.5/10)

Fermanagh: Tough start to Declan Bonner's tenure. Relegation a near certainty. Have improved in the last couple of games and will hope get something from their long trip to Limerick. (4/10)

DIVISION 4

Carlow: Consecutive losses to Longford and London have derailed their promotion drive. Supporters would needless to say be disappointed if they don't get it done. It's quite simple: beat Leitrim. Expect plenty of anxious moments at Netwatch Cullen Park. (7/10)

Wicklow: Haven't always hit the heights but are more than capable of winning in Longford, and so seal their tier-three return. (7/10)

London: They've given things a good rattle but need a favour from Leitrim and a win against improving Antrim to cap a productive spring. (7/10)

Longford: Being still in the promotion represents progress after years of stagnation in the bottom section. (6/10)

Antrim: The form team in the league after a horrid start. Three wins on the spin leaves them in the mix to go up. Just!

They just have to beat London, see Wicklow and Carlow lose and Tipperary fail to win, coupled with having a better scoring difference than Wicklow, Carlow and Leitrim. (5.5/10)

Tipperary: Again another outfit who have been competitive. Promotion chances are slim. (5/10)

Leitrim: Got the show back on the road with an impressive home win against Longford, but are capable of more. The kicking prowess of Barry McNulty a joy to watch. (5.5/10)

Click here to read article