Armagh and Westmeath can book spots in Division 3 final

ANOTHER Allianz league final could be decided this weekend after Galway booked their place in the Division 1 final for the first time in 12 years where they will almost certainly be joined by Dublin.

Division 3 is most likely to determine finalists ahead of the last round as Armagh travel to Fermanagh on Sunday in the knowledge that a sixth successive win would guarantee promotion back to Division 2.

Westmeath can also secure their return to Division 2 with a game in hand if they beat Longford in a midlands derby at Pearse Park.

A win would push Westmeath on to 10 points and leave only Fermanagh within reach of them. But with the head-to-head in their favour equal points between them would give Colin Kelly’s side the advantage.

Kelly is seeking a third successive league promotion, and a second successive leap from Division 3 having done so with Louth last year. A win for Longford, however, would really open the division with their final game against Fermanagh.

At the other end Wexford have a mathematical chance of survival but remaining games against Derry and Armagh should seal their fate.

The meeting of Offaly and Sligo in O’Connor Park, Tullamore will effectively determine who joins them.

REMAINING

Sligo are on three points while Offaly have just two with their remaining game against Westmeath.

Division 4 is far from clear with a backlog of games pushing the final out until April 8.

Laois and Carlow are well placed to meet twice in three weekends, having picked up full points so far.

But Carlow face a tough task against Antrim in Corrigan Park while Laois are not in action as their originally scheduled game against London went ahead last weekend.

In Division 2 the picture at both ends is somewhat more complicated.

Tipperary travel to Newry to face Down while Roscommon have Cavan in Dr Hyde Park, but even two home wins will still require both teams to add points on the last weekend, when Roscommon play Cork and Tipperary meet Cavan.

If Cavan score a rare win over Roscommon however, they can’t be caught on 11 points and will return to Division 1.

Meath will still be fighting a relegation battle even if they beat Louth in Drogheda and Down lose to Tipperary as both sides meet in the last round which will effectively be a relegation play-off if results pan out that way.

Clare, who meet Cork this weekend, have Louth in their last game and would be expected to pick up both points there to take them to six.