Allianz Football League: League of many hues reaches conclusion

Conor Glass has helped Derry lead Division One with 10 points from six games so far

Round seven of the Football League will feature a hotch potch of relevant and meaningless fixtures as the regular season campaign draws to a close.

While some need points to avoid the drop, gain promotion or make a league final, others may not be so interested.

Tyrone legend Peter Canavan suggested scrapping the league finals to protect "the integrity of the competition".

"Teams that are already through could be in a position where they go out and play weakened teams," he told RTE.

"That could be to the detriment of other teams - it could put some team down.

"The integrity of the competition is paramount and at the minute I don't think you're getting that.

"If it was a straight race to the top, then Kerry would be going out to win their last match, likewise Donegal and Armagh in Division Two and Armagh, every game would be more important. "

Scrapping league finals is an idea that has been mooted before but they are very much still here in 2024 leaving managers and coaches with decisions to make this weekend.

Cathal McShane celebrates scoring a point as Tyrone beat Monaghan to secure top-flight survival last weekend which in the process relegated the Farney County

A lot of interest will centre on the team selections of Kerry and Derry, the latter of whom are all but guaranteed a place in the Division One final.

With the hard work done, does Mickey Harte rest a few regulars against relegation-threatened Roscommon ahead of a likely final against Dublin the following Sunday?

Will Kerry manager Jack O'Connor go all-out to try and make the league final by beating Galway, who like the Rossies are in relegation trouble?

Derry's superior score difference (+25) should propel them to a league final in Harte's first year in charge.

It's a feat he has managed twice before, winning Division One with Tyrone in his debut year in 2003 and leading Louth to a Division Four final in 2021, though the final was never played.

If Dublin beat Tyrone - who can't make the final and can't be relegated - in Croke Park, then Kerry would need a 20-point swing to overhaul the All-Ireland champions.

With Monaghan's 10-year spell in the top flight coming to an end this weekend, either Roscommon or Galway will be relegated alongside them.

In Division Two, Donegal and Armagh are already assured of a place in the league final on Sunday week while Kildare are relegated.

Fermanagh lost to Armagh in Division Two this year

So the only issue still to be settled in that division is whether Fermanagh or Louth will go down.

If Fermanagh beat Cavan in their remaining game, Louth will need a point from their remaining game against Kildare as they will have head-to-head advantage - if both themselves and Fermanagh finish on five points.

Down's draw with Westmeath last weekend has left it a three-way fight for two promotion places in Division Three.

Both sides are on 11 points and Down host Clare, who have been motoring quietly and now sit on 10 points, in Pairc Esler, with Westmeath away to Sligo.

Limerick have been relegated from Division Three, with Antrim's home game against Wicklow determining who will join them.

A Wicklow win, providing Offaly beat Limerick, would give Wicklow head-to-head advantage as they and Antrim finish level on four points and relegate the Saffrons.

Division Four is a dogfight with Wexford, Longford and Leitrim all on eight points, two behind Justin McNulty's Laois who are away to Waterford.