NFL Div 3 permutations on final day

Sunday 26th March 2023

Division 3
Cavan v Fermanagh, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm
Longford v Antrim, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm
Offaly v Down, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Tipperary, 2pm

In Division 3, 50% of the promotion picture and the entire relegation story has been decided before a ball has been thrown in today.  At the top, Cavan are guaranteed to move to Division 2 regardless of what happens at home to Fermanagh.  Even if they lose to the Erne County, they have the head-to-head advantage over whoever wins between Offaly and Down in Tullamore.

Offaly do have something to play for, even if their Mourne opponents do not. Wins for Offaly and Cavan would see Fermanagh dropping out of the promotion spots given that the Faithful County edged Fermanagh by a point early in the season.  Down, however, lost to the Erne County by the minimum and given that they were defeated by Cavan, their promotion hopes are dead in the water. A win may draw them level with the second-placed side, but the head-to-head rule scuttles them.

At the bottom, Longford and Tipperary, both on a single point from six games, are already preparing for life in Division 4.  Antrim’s safety was secured with their nail-biting win over Cavan last weekend while Westmeath have nothing to play for after successive defeats in Ulster over the last two rounds, against Down and Fermanagh.