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Explained: The National Football League Final Day Permutations Across Divisions 1 And 2

With just one round of fixtures remaining in the National Football League, promotion and relegation places remain up for grabs across all four divisions.

Several teams still have plenty to play for heading into the final weekend, with dramatic scenarios possible in each division. We've done our best below to outline every possible outcome in Divisions 1 and 2 on the final weekend.

Division 1

#AllianzLeagues Football Division 1 Table after Round 6.

Kerry 2-29 v 0-19 Mayo

Dublin 1-25 v 2-24 Armagh

Roscommon 2-20 v 0-20 Donegal

Monaghan 2-09 v 1-20 Galway #GAALeagueTables #GAA #Football pic.twitter.com/yJlors9kBp

— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 15, 2026

The Division 1 final spots are still completely open after Donegal and Mayo both suffered defeats over the weekend, keeping Kerry and Roscommon firmly in the hunt.

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Donegal and Kerry know that victory in their final games will secure their place in the league final.

Meanwhile, Mayo and Roscommon face each other in Castlebar in a game where both teams realistically need to win and then hope that either Donegal or Kerry drop points.

At the bottom of the table, Monaghan have already been relegated.

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They will be joined in Division 2 by one of Galway, Armagh or Dublin.

If Dublin lose away to Galway, they will be relegated as Armagh hold the head-to-head advantage over them.

For Galway to be relegated, they would need to lose to Dublin while Armagh beat Kerry, creating a three-way tie on six points, where scoring difference would decide the outcome.

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In that scenario, Dublin would need to beat Galway by at least four points to survive.

If Dublin win and Armagh either draw or lose, then Armagh will be relegated.

Division 2

#AllianzLeagues Football Division 2 Table after Round 6.

Cork 1-31 v 2-19 Kildare

Meath 3-24 v 2-22 Tyrone

Louth 1-19 v 0-18 Derry

Offaly 3-15 v 2-20 Cavan #GAALeagueTables #GAA #Football pic.twitter.com/3dHiTEkOYU

— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 15, 2026

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Cork and Meath are currently best placed to secure promotion.

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Both teams know that a win or draw in their final games will guarantee promotion.

However, defeat for either side would reopen the door for Derry and Louth (both on 8 points).

Those two sides must win their own games and hope at least one of Cork or Meath drops points.

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If three teams finish level on points, promotion will be decided by scoring difference, where the contrast is stark, Cork currently sit on +2 while Derry boast +42.

At the other end, Offaly have already been relegated to Division 3.

If Cavan win and Tyrone avoid defeat Kildare will be relegated regardless of how they get on against Louth.

There is a complicated scenario where Tyrone could be relegated if they lose, Cavan draw or win, Kildare win, and there is a dramatic swing in scoring difference.

However, it is more likely that either Cavan or Kildare will go down.

If Cavan win, they will stay up.

Kildare must win, if they draw or lose they will be relegated, as Cavan hold the head-to-head advantage over them.

With regards to championship status, Kildare are safely into Sam Maguire for 2026 as they are reigning Tailteann Cup champions, so should they be relegated the loser of the Division 3 league final will remain in the Tailteann Cup for 2026 should they fail to make their respective provincial final.

With so much still undecided, the final weekend of the National Football League promises to deliver plenty of drama across all four divisions.

SEE ALSO: Nathan Collins Eyeing Kildare GAA Return After End Of Soccer Career

SEE ALSO: How The National Football League Tables Stand With One Round To Go

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