A calculator will be needed if Kerry, Roscommon and Tyrone all win on Sunday, to see just who will meet Mayo in the final. Donegal look set to drop down, while Monaghan have a lifeline to stay up.
Galway v Kerry, Sun March 26th, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm
Both Galway and Kerry have the chance to join mayo in the league final, with the Tribesmen ahead in the race.
Galway are on eight points and look to be the nearest challenger to facing Mayo in the final, a draw against Kerry will be enough to see them make the decider an all Connacht affair.
Kerry meanwhile it really is win or bust for them as defeat can put them in a relegation battle, the Kingdom can make it a repeat of last years final if they secure the win in Pearse Stadium, however that is not even half the battle, they require Roscommon and Tyrone both to lose to ensure their spot, if one of them wins then score difference comes into play, where they are currently second best.
Roscommon v Donegal, Sun March 26th, Dr Hyde Park, 1.45pm
The next contender for that spot is Roscommon who need a win over Donegal to state their claim, while Donegal are like Steve McQueen trying to pull off the great escape.
The Rossies know what they need to do and that is to win this tie, they too need Galway to be defeated by Kerry and hope that Donegal’s defence had an off day to aid their chances along with a Tyrone defeat, a calculator may be needed on Sunday but Roscommon are on +1 three behind Kerry to would need to better Kerry’s winning margin by four if they have any hope of a final appearance.
Donegal however need the mother of all miracles to stay up, winning this tie is one thing, but they need Tyrone to defeat Armagh by a healthy scoreline, as they points difference comes into play and Armagh currently are 28 ahead of them, so it is make or break for them but even a win does not complete the job as a nervy end could be on the cards in Dr Hyde Park.
Tyrone v Armagh, Sun March 26th, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 1.45pm
Tyrone are the third team who have a shot at the league final, a win here gives them a chance but Armagh need a win to survive in the division.
Tyrone need the carbon copy of Roscommon’s permutations with obviously needing Roscommon to lose to Donegal which isa tough ask but one that could just happen, after that it’s the margins between them and old foes Kerry of they win that is the difference between a final and a break before Championship season kicks off.
Armagh on five points are in danger of facing the drop if they lose and Monaghan win on Sunday, they could also see Tyrone drop down if they win and Monaghan are also victorious as Monaghan would then have to chase the score deficit to stay up, this is a crucial decider for Armagh.
Mayo v Monaghan, Sun March 26th, Hastings MacHale Park, 1.45pm
Mayo will look to finish their incredible run in the league with an unbeaten season as they face Monaghan in Castlebar.
The Mayo men already have their feet up as they have secured a final spot after an unbeaten run, they now need to finish the job to keep their confidence levels high to bring silverware home before the Championship begins.
For Monaghan it is simply to win, the easiest route for them to take is win and hope Tyrone defeat Armagh, however if that doesn’t happen, they need a twisting route to keep them up, with a negative scoring difference, they would need to put on a serious showcase if Armagh are doing well in Omagh.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.