THE National Football League's regulation matches concluded yesterday, with the exception of Division Four which has one series remaining, to be played on March 16th. The quarter final pairings are virtually settled, as are most issues of relegation and promotion in the Church and General sponsored competition.
Yesterday's matches saw Kildare, who consigned Donegal to Division Two, and Kerry, who beat Cork in Tralee, going to the top of the first division, with Kildare ahead on scoring average.
Derry's victory over Meath put them into third place and gave them a quarter- final place. Cork complete the Division One qualifiers.
Louth's demolition of Monaghan moved them to the top of the table in Division Two. Laois take the second place.
The one quarter final berth? available in Division Three went to favourites Down, whose draw with Roscommon suited both counties as it pushed the Connacht team just out of the reach of Wicklow, whose victory over Westmeath had given them an outside chance of promotion.
Whereas Division Four won't be completed for another two weeks, both Offaly and Fermanagh are confirmed for next season's Division Three. Offaly are virtually certain to pick up the quarter final place as, barring a disaster against Kilkenny, they will end their campaign with the league's only 100 per cent record.
The quarter final pairings don't exactly set the pulse racing.
Only the probable Kildare Offaly match features counties from the same province. Kerry play Down in a repeat of their 1993 meeting in the league quarter final, which was won by the Munster county.
Holders Derry will take on Laois, who were beaten by Donegal in the 1995 semi final. Louth, who haven't featured in the knockout stages for two decades, will take on Cork.
Relegation issues remain unclear. Donegal drop back into Division Two for the first time in nine years, but their travelling companions are not yet known. Resolving the matter will require a three way play off between All Ireland champions Meath, Ulster champions Tyrone and Cavan.
Monaghan had already lost their Division Two status and they will be accompanied by either Mayo or Clare.
At the bottom of Division Three, Wexford dragged Longford down with them when Eamonn Coleman's team could only draw.
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