2024 National Football League (Ireland) Explained

Dates:27 January – 31 March 2024
Teams:32
Team1:Derry
Captain1:Conor Glass
Manager1:Mickey Harte
Titles:7th
Team2:Dublin
Captain2:James McCarthy
Manager2:Dessie Farrell
Two:Donegal
Three:Westmeath
Four:Laois
Previous:2023
Next:2025

The 2024 National Football League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Allianz Football League, was the 93rd staging of the National Football League (NFL), an annual Gaelic football tournament for county teams. Thirty-one county teams from Ireland, plus London, compete; Kilkenny did not participate.[1] [2] [3]

Format

League structure

Teams by Province and Division
Province Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Total
3 01 1 5
1 3 3 4 11
1 1 2 2 6
3 4 2 0 9
England 0 0 0 1 1
Total 8 8 8 8 32
In the top division, Division 1, teams compete to become the National Football League (NFL) champions. The top two teams qualify for the NFL Final, with the winners crowned NFL champions.

The 2024 National Football League consists of four divisions of eight teams. Each team plays every other team in its division once. Two points are awarded for a win, one point is awarded for a draw and none are awarded for a loss.

Teams compete for promotion and relegation to a higher or lower league. In Divisions 2, 3 and 4, the first and second-places teams are promoted, while the bottom two teams of divisions 1, 2 and 3 are relegated.

Tiebreakers for league ranking

As per the Official GAA Guide – Part 1 – Section 6.21[4] -

If two teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:

  1. Where two teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the previous game in the Competition;

If three or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:

  1. Scoring Difference (subtracting the total scores against from total scores for);
  2. Highest Total Score For;
  3. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (i)
  3. A Play-Off

Division 1

Table

Matches

Round 7

Final

Division 2

Table

Matches

Round 7

Final

Division 3

Table

Matches

Round 7

Final

Division 4

Table

Matches

Round 7

Final

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cluxton's shock return, Monaghan's remarkable run: Allianz Football League talking points. 22 March 2023. The42.
  2. Web site: Preview: Weekend's Allianz Football League action. www.gaa.ie.
  3. Web site: League permutations: Clare lose seven-year Division 2 status, Donegal almost certain to drop out of Division 1. independent.
  4. Web site: GAA Official Guide – Part 1 . gaa.ie . 21 October 2020.