Gaelic football competition
The 2021 National Football League , known for sponsorship reasons as the Allianz National Football LeagueNational Football League (NFL), an annual Gaelic football tournament for Gaelic Athletic Association county teams. Thirty-one county teams from the island of Ireland compete; Kilkenny do not participate. London did not participate, due to restrictions around travel in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 1] [ 2]
In December 2020, it was announced that each division would be divided into North and South sections in order to reduce fixtures and minimise cross-border matches.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games and that cancelling it would be a last resort.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
Due to COVID-19, finals were not played if a team had a championship game scheduled for the following week. This resulted in three divisions having their finals cancelled and being awarded jointly. Kerry and Dublin shared the Division 1 title; Kildare and Mayo Division 2; and Antrim and Louth Division 4.[ 13] [ 14] Offaly and Derry would have shared the Division 3 title, but chose to play the final instead. It was a pilot COVID test event with 2,400 spectators permitted, and Derry won.[ 15]
League structure
Teams by Province and Division
Province
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Division 4
Total
Connacht 2
1
0
2
5
Leinster 1
4
3
3
11
Munster 1
2
2
1
6
Ulster 4
1
3
1
9
Britain 0
0
0
0
0
Total
8
8
8
7
31
The 2021 National Football League consists of three divisions of eight teams and one of seven. Each division is divided into a North and South section; each team plays every other team in its section once. Two points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw.
In the top division, Division 1, teams compete to become the National Football League (NFL) champions. The top two in each section qualify for the NFL semi-finals.
Teams compete for promotion and relegation to a higher or lower league. In Divisions 2, 3 and 4, the top two teams in each group play in the divisional semi-finals, with each team that reaches the divisional final being promoted.
Division finals are not played if a team is scheduled to play a championship match on 26/27 June 2021; the division title will be shared.[ 16]
The bottom two teams in each section in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 enter relegation playoffs, with the losers relegated.
The third-placed teams in each section in Division 4 enter the Division 4 Shield Final.[ 17]
Tiebreakers for league ranking
As per the Official GAA Guide - Part 1 - Section 6.21[ 18]
If two teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the group phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
Where two teams only are involved - the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the group game; If three or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the group phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
Scoring Difference (subtracting the total scores against from total scores for);
Highest Total Score For;
A Play-Off. In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walkover, the tie shall be decided by the following means:
Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For)
Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal under rule 1 above
A Play-Off
Division 1
Locations of the 2021 NFL Division 1 teams.
Red: North section;
Green: South section.
Division 1 North
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Donegal
3
1
2
0
38
36
+2
4
Advance to NFL semi-finals
2
Tyrone
3
1
1
1
37
34
+3
3
3
Armagh
3
1
1
1
35
36
−1
3
Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 2
4
Monaghan
3
0
2
1
35
39
−4
2
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers
Matches
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Division 1 South
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Kerry (C)
3
2
1
0
75
47
+28
5
Advance to NFL semi-finals
2
Dublin (C)
3
2
1
0
68
55
+13
5
3
Galway (R)
3
1
0
2
51
71
−20
2
Advance to Division 1 relegation playoffs; two losers are relegated to Division 2
4
Roscommon (R)
3
0
0
3
47
68
−21
0
Updated to match(es) played on 30 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (C) NFL champions (shared);
(R) Relegated
Matches
Round 1
Roscommon v Dublin
16 May 2021 1
Roscommon 0-16 (16) – (25) 1-22
Dublin Roscommon
13:45
Venue: Dr Hyde Park
Referee: Derek O'Mahoney
Round 2
Galway v Roscommon
23 May 2021 2
Galway 2–16 (22) – (16) 1–13
Roscommon Salthill
14:00
Venue: Pearse Stadium
Referee: David Coldrick
Round 3
Galway v Dublin
30 May 2021 3
Galway 1-15 (18) – (22) 2-16
Dublin Tuam
15:45
Venue: Tuam Stadium
Referee: Brendan Cawley
Roscommon v Kerry
30 May 2021 3
Roscommon 1-12 (15) – (21) 2-15
Kerry Roscommon
15:45
Venue: Dr Hyde Park
Referee: Joe Mc Quillan
Division 1 Relegation Playoffs
Armagh v Roscommon
13 June 2021
15:00 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Armagh
1-17 (20) – (11) 0-11
Roscommon
Monaghan v Galway
13 June 2021
15:45 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Monaghan
1-21 (24) – (23) 2-17a.e.t. )
Galway
Division 1 Finals
Kerry v Tyrone
Kerry
6-15 (33) – (17) 1-14
Tyrone
(HT: 5-06 – 0-07)
Donegal v Dublin
Donegal
1-14 (17) – (21) 1-18
Dublin
(HT: 0-07 – 1-08)
Dublin and Kerry shared the 2021 NFL title, as Kerry had a championship game on 26 June 2021.
Division 2
Locations of the 2021 NFL Division 2 teams.
Red: North section;
Green: South section.
Division 2 North
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Mayo (P)
3
3
0
0
74
50
+24
6
Advance to Division 2 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 1
2
Meath
3
2
0
1
55
55
0
4
3
Down
3
1
0
2
41
60
−19
2
Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 3
4
Westmeath (R)
3
0
0
3
45
50
−5
0
Updated to match(es) played on 30 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Matches
Round 1
Meath v Westmeath
16 May 2021 1
Meath 0-16 (16) – (15) 0-15
Westmeath Navan
15:45
Venue: Páirc Tailteann
Referee: Brendan Cawley
Round 2
Westmeath v Mayo
22 May 2021 2
Westmeath 2-12 (18) – (21) 0-21
Mayo Mullingar
15:00
Venue: Cusack Park
Referee: Noel Mooney
Round 3
Westmeath v Down
30 May 2021 3
Westmeath 1-9 (12) – (13) 0-13
Down Mullingar
13:45
Venue: Cusack Park
Referee: Sean Lonergan
Division 2 South
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Kildare (P)
3
2
0
1
55
41
+14
4
Advance to Division 2 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 1
2
Clare
3
2
0
1
56
47
+9
4
3
Cork
3
2
0
1
54
49
+5
4
Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 3
4
Laois (R)
3
0
0
3
33
61
−28
0
Updated to match(es) played on 30 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Matches
Round 1
Clare v Laois
16 May 2021 3
Clare 1-16 (19) – (12) 0-12
Laois Ennis
16:00
Venue: Cusack Park
Referee: Sean Lonergan
Round 2
Kildare v Clare
23 May 2021 2
Kildare 0–13 (13) – (16) 1–13
Clare Newbridge
14:00
Venue: County Grounds
Referee: Fergal Kelly
Round 3
Division 2 Relegation Playoffs
Cork v Westmeath
12 June 2021
14:00 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Cork
3-22 (31) – (25) 0-25
Westmeath
Down v Laois
12 June 2021
18:15 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Down
2-19 (25) – (18) 2-12
Laois
Division 2 Finals
Clare v Mayo
Clare
2-18 (24) – (28) 2-22
Mayo
Kildare v Meath
Kildare
1-14 (17) – (14) 0-14
Meath
Kildare and Mayo shared the Division 2 title, as Mayo had a championship game on 26 June 2021.
Division 3
Locations of the 2021 NFL Division 3 teams.
Red: North section;
Green: South section.
Division 3 North
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Derry (P)
3
3
0
0
49
14
+35
6
Advance to Division 3 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 2
2
Fermanagh
3
1
1
1
24
42
−18
3
3
Cavan (R)
3
1
0
2
36
31
+5
2
Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 4
4
Longford
3
0
1
2
21
43
−22
1
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Matches
Round 1
Round 2
Derry v Fermanagh
22 May 2021 2
Derry 5-13 (28) – (9) 0-9
Fermanagh Owenbeg
17:00
Venue: Derry GAA Ground
Referee: Paul Faloon
Cavan v Longford
22 May 2021 2
Cavan 1-19 (22) – (16) 1-13
Longford Cavan
19:00
Venue: Breffni Park
Referee: Cormac Reilly
Round 3
Cavan v Derry
29 May 2021 3
Cavan 2-11 (17) – (19) 1-16
Derry Cavan
15:00
Venue: Breffni Park
Referee: Padraig Hughes
Division 3 South
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Offaly (P)
3
3
0
0
33
27
+6
6
Advance to Division 3 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 2
2
Limerick
3
2
0
1
30
30
0
4
3
Tipperary (R)
3
1
0
2
32
31
+1
2
Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 4
4
Wicklow
3
0
0
3
28
35
−7
0
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (P) Promoted;
(R) Relegated
Matches
Round 1
Wicklow v Offaly
16 May 2021 1
Wicklow 1-10 (13) – (17) 1-14
Offaly Aughrim
14:00
Venue: County Grounds
Referee: Seamus Mulhare
Round 2
Offaly v Limerick
22 May 2021 2
Offaly 0-16 (16) – 1-11 (14)
Limerick Tullamore
15:00
Venue: O'Connor Park
Referee: John Gilmartin
Tipperary v Wicklow
22 May 2021 2
Tipperary 2-12 (18) – 1-12 (15)
Wicklow Thurles
16:30
Venue: Semple Stadium
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill
Round 3
Offaly v Tipperary
29 May 2021 3
Offaly 1-17 (20) – (15) 1-12
Tipperary Tullamore
15:00
Venue: O'Connor Park
Referee: James Bermingham
Wicklow v Limerick
29 May 2021 3
Wicklow 1-12 (15) – (25) 2-19
Limerick Aughrim
15:00
Venue: County Grounds
Referee: Niall McKenna
Division 3 Relegation Playoffs
Cavan v Wicklow
12 June 2021
14:00 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Cavan
0-18 (18) – (20) 3-11
Wicklow
Longford v Tipperary
13 June 2021
15:45 IST (UTC+1 ) Relegation playoff
Longford
1-13 (16) – (9) 0-09
Tipperary
Division 3 Finals
Derry v Limerick
Derry
0-17 (17) – (13) 0-13
Limerick
Offaly v Fermanagh
Offaly
1-14 (17) – (12) 0-12
Fermanagh
Derry v Offaly
Derry
0-21 (21) – (9) 1-06
Offaly
Division 4
Locations of the 2021 NFL Division 4 teams.
Red: North section;
Green: South section;
Grey: Not competing.
Division 4 North
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Antrim (P)
3
3
0
0
63
60
+3
6
Advance to Division 4 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 3
2
Louth (P)
3
2
0
1
63
45
+18
4
3
Sligo
3
1
0
2
63
67
−4
2
Advance to Division 4 Shield Final
4
Leitrim
3
0
0
3
50
67
−17
0
Updated to match(es) played on 30 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers (P) Promoted
Matches
Round 1
Sligo v Leitrim
16 May 2021 1
Sligo 2-19 (25) – (18) 0-18
Leitrim Sligo
15:00
Venue: Markievicz Park
Referee: Niall Cullen
Round 2
Antrim v Sligo
23 May 2021 2
Antrim 3-13 (22) – (21) 3-12
Sligo Belfast
16:00
Venue: Corrigan Park
Referee: Conor Dourneen
Round 3
Antrim v Leitrim
30 May 2021 3
Antrim 2-17 (23) – (22) 1-19
Leitrim Belfast
15:00
Venue: Corrigan Park
Referee: Kevin Faloon
Division 4 South
Table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
PF
PA
PD
Pts
Qualification
1
Carlow
2
2
0
0
43
27
+16
4
Advance to Division 4 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 3
2
Waterford
2
1
0
1
29
43
−14
2
3
Wexford
2
0
0
2
35
37
−2
0
Advance to Division 4 Shield Final
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2021. Source:
GAA.ie Rules for classification:
Tiebreakers
Matches
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Division 4 Shield
Sligo v Wexford
13 June 2021
15:00 IST (UTC+1 ) Shield Final
Sligo
0-9 (9) – (21) 2-15
Wexford
Division 4 Finals
Waterford v Antrim
Waterford
0-11 – 1-15
Antrim
Antrim and Louth shared the Division 4 title, as Louth had a championship game on 27 June 2021.
League statistics
Scoring events
David Tubridy (Clare) became top scorer in National Football League history against Cork in May 2021,[ 20] Mickey Kearins (Sligo, 1961–1978).[ 21]
References
^ Connaughton, Gary (18 October 2020). "Promotion & Relegation Permutations For All Four Divisions Of National Football League" . Balls.ie . ^ "Allianz FL results & reports: Mayo and Leitrim go down" . 25 October 2020 – via www.rte.ie.^ "Inter-county leagues and championships revamped for 2021 season" . BBC Sport . 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020 .^ Keys, Colm (23 September 2020). "Shorter inter-county season on the cards for 2021 as GAA braced for more Covid disruption" . Irish Independent . Retrieved 23 September 2020 . ^ Fogarty, John (19 December 2020). "New League structure as GAA master calendar for 2021 revealed" . Irish Examiner . ^ "Longford pitted with provincial champions in 2021 National Football League" . www.longfordleader.ie .^ "2021 League and Championships – Overview" . www.gaa.ie .^ "No Activity For Clare GAA Sides Until Easter At The Earliest" . 11 February 2021.^ Fogarty, John (27 January 2021). "What will the delayed GAA season look like? Here are four possible scenarios" . Irish Examiner . ^ Fogarty, John (26 January 2021). "GAA officials redrawing League and Championship calendars" . Irish Examiner . ^ GBFM, Sport (8 April 2021). "GAA: 2021 Inter-County Fixtures Plan Released" . ^ Nolan, Pat (12 April 2021). "Dublin set to be left without a home game in Allianz League" . Irish Mirror . ^ "Dublin share League title with Kerry after win over Donegal: As it happened" . independent .^ Fogarty, John (10 June 2021). "As leagues that may or may not have finals conclude, the GAA's obscure history of shared titles" . Irish Examiner . ^ a b McCormack, Richie. "GAA confirm limited attendance for NFL Division 3 final at Croke Park" . Newstalk . ^ "NFL semis and relegation play-off pairings confirmed" . 30 May 2021 – via www.rte.ie.^ "UPDATED: Croke Park reveals counties agreed to Allianz NFL Division 4 Shield Final pairing as Leitrim end League campaign" . www.leitrimobserver.ie .^ "GAA Official Guide - Part 1" (PDF) . gaa.ie . Retrieved 21 October 2020 .^ "Harte's troops march on to Division Three with comprehensive win over Carlow" . Dundalk Democrat ^ "Tubridy's record haul cannot stop Rebels but Banner qualify with Division 1 now in their sights" . Irish Independent ^ "Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time" . Irish Independent
2021 GAA season
Football
Hurling
