DIVISION ONE of the National Football League concluded yesterday with three teams at the top on 10 points but after computing the scoring difference, the GAA are left with a final between All-Ireland champions Kerry and Derry.

The match is scheduled to be played on Sunday 27th of this month and while no venue has been confirmed, Pearse Stadium in Galway is considered a front- runner to stage the final.

That was the venue where Kerry yesterday defeated Galway by five points to push the home side into third place, as news came through that Derry had defeated Donegal, the other team with an outside chance of making the decider, on the same scoreline of 0-15 to 0-10.

The final is scheduled to clash with Munster's European rugby Cup semi-final with Saracens. The last time that happened, the league final came off worse, albeit with an unhelpful teatime throw-in, when Kerry played Galway in Limerick two years ago before a record-low attendance of 7,598 at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds.

At the other end of the table Kildare's faint chance of survival evaporated when they were held to a draw by Laois and they will join their neighbours in next season's Division Two.

None of the other divisions will conclude until next week but there were back fixtures down for decision in Division Two and Three. Dublin's apparently comfortable position, poised for promotion to the top flight, was thrown up in the air by a heavy defeat in Crossmaglen by Armagh, 3-13 to 1-10.

Dublin must now beat Meath to copper-fasten promotion and their place in the divisional final.

- Seán Moran