Endgames promise exciting climax

GAA: ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE:WITH ONLY two outcomes definite – and 12 still undecided – the GAA couldn't have planned a more exciting climax to the football League. But that's not saying some of the decisive games aren't somehow a little less decisive than others.

The problem is that, in some cases, only one of the teams in the final-round showdowns has anything left to play for. In Division One, for example, Monaghan must beat Mayo to have a chance of avoiding relegation, whereas Mayo can’t make the final or be relegated.

Likewise with Dublin against Galway. The westerners must win to avoid relegation, while Dublin are already assured of their place in the final. There is further imbalance in this scenario given the fact that Armagh must beat Cork to be sure of fighting off relegation, while Cork must also beat Armagh in order to make the final.

Inevitably, managers will say they go out to win every game and, with the championship looming, players are also looking to secure their places – so the idea of having nothing to play for doesn’t exactly hold up. Monaghan manager Eamonn McEneaney isn’t overly concerned about Mayo’s motivations when they host them in Inniskeen on Sunday, and is not getting too worked up about the threat of relegation either.

“Relegation, you deal with that when it comes along. But people only want to see you do well in the championship. That’s the reality of it. Our biggest problem in the league was not taking our chances.

“We had our chances and didn’t take them, against the likes of Armagh, and Dublin. But a lot of the younger players have done well. So it’s still been a huge league.”

Mayo manager James Horan will definitely rest forward Aidan O’Shea, who sustained a hand injury during their win over Cork last Sunday. The injury is not thought to be serious, but O’Shea will be rested until the championship as a precautionary measure.

Besides Dublin’s qualification for the Division One final, the only other matter of certainty going into Sunday’s final round is that Roscommon will be promoted from Division Four. That scenario actually creates one of the few “dead rubber” games, as opponents Leitrim also have nothing to play for, as promotion is already out of their reach. Longford, Wicklow or Carlow will join Roscommon – and while Wicklow play a Clare team with nothing left to gain, Longford and Carlow face-off against each other.

In the meantime, Roscommon manager Fergal O’Donnell has admitted his attention has already turned to the opening defence of their Connacht title, against New York, on May 1st. On that basis, he won’t be making any unnecessary risks in the conclusion of the league, including the upcoming Division Four final.

Incredibly, all 16 teams in Division Two and Division Three still have something to play for, with the meeting of Westmeath and Offaly in Division Three of particular interest as the winners there will definitely be promoted.