# 2021 National Football League (Ireland)

The 2021 National Football League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Allianz National Football League, was the 90th staging of the National 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.
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. This plan had been hinted at as early as September 2020. Teams would play three league games, plus possibly two knockout matches, allowing the tournament to be finished in just five rounds of games. In February 2021, it was announced that the league would be delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games and that cancelling it would be a last resort. It began on 15 May 2021.
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. 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.

## Format
### 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.
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.

### Tiebreakers for league ranking

As per the Official GAA Guide - Part 1 - Section 6.21 -
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
### 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 | Advance to NFL semi-finals |
| 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 | Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 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 | Advance to NFL semi-finals |
| 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 | Advance to Division 1 relegation playoffs; two losers are relegated to Division 2 |

#### Round 3
### Division 1 Relegation Playoffs

* GAAGO
* 13 June 2021 15:00 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
| Armagh | 1-17 (20) – (11) 0-11 | Roscommon |
* Athletic Grounds, Armagh Referee: Sean Hurson
* TG4
* 13 June 2021 15:45 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
| Monaghan | 1-21 (24) – (23) 2-17 (a.e.t.) | Galway |
* St. Tiernach's Park, Clones Referee: David Gough

### Division 1 Finals

* TG4
* 12 June 2021 17:00 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
* Report
| Kerry | 6-15 (33) – (17) 1-14 | Tyrone |
| (HT: 5-06 – 0-07) |||
* Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney Referee: Conor Lane
* TG4
* 12 June 2021 19:15 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
* Report
| Donegal | 1-14 (17) – (21) 1-18 | Dublin |
| (HT: 0-07 – 1-08) |||
* Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan Referee: Ciaran Branagan
Dublin and Kerry shared the 2021 NFL title, as Kerry had a championship game on 26 June 2021.

## Division 2
### 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 | Advance to Division 2 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 1 |
| 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 | Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 3 |

#### Round 3
### 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 | Advance to Division 2 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 1 |
| 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 | Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 3 |

#### Round 3
### Division 2 Relegation Playoffs

* GAAGO
* 12 June 2021 14:00 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
| Cork | 3-22 (31) – (25) 0-25 | Westmeath |
* Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork Referee: Cormac Reilly
* GAAGO
* 12 June 2021 18:15 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
| Down | 2-19 (25) – (18) 2-12 | Laois |
* Páirc Esler, Newry Referee: Jerome Henry

### Division 2 Finals

* TG4
* 13 June 2021 13:45 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
| Clare | 2-18 (24) – (28) 2-22 | Mayo |
* Cusack Park, Ennis Referee: Niall Cullen
* GAAGO
* 13 June 2021 14:00 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
| Kildare | 1-14 (17) – (14) 0-14 | Meath |
* St. Conleth's Park, Newbridge Referee: Barry Cassidy
Kildare and Mayo shared the Division 2 title, as Mayo had a championship game on 26 June 2021.

## Division 3
### 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 | Advance to Division 3 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 2 |
| 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 | Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 4 |

#### Round 3
### 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 | Advance to Division 3 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 2 |
| 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 | Advance to a relegation playoff; losers are relegated to Division 4 |

#### Round 3
### Division 3 Relegation Playoffs

* GAAGO
* 12 June 2021 14:00 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
* Report
| Cavan | 0-18 (18) – (20) 3-11 | Wicklow |
* Páirc Tailteann, Navan Referee: Barry Judge
* GAAGO
* 13 June 2021 15:45 IST (UTC+1) Relegation playoff
* Report
| Longford | 1-13 (16) – (9) 0-09 | Tipperary |
* Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford Referee: Seamus Mulhare

### Division 3 Finals

* GAAGO
* 12 June 2021 16:00 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
| Derry | 0-17 (17) – (13) 0-13 | Limerick |
* Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon Referee: Noel Mooney
* GAAGO
* 12 June 2021 18:00 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
| Offaly | 1-14 (17) – (12) 0-12 | Fermanagh |
* O'Connor Park, Tullamore Referee: Patrick Maguire
* TG4
* 19 June 2021 17:00 IST (UTC+1) Final
* Report
| Derry | 0-21 (21) – (9) 1-06 | Offaly |
* Croke Park, Dublin Referee: Sean Lonergan Attendance: 2,400

## Division 4
### 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 | Advance to Division 4 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 3 |
| 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 | |

#### Round 3
### 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 | Advance to Division 4 semi-finals; both finalists are promoted to Division 3 |
| 3 | Wexford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 37 | −2 | 0 | Advance to Division 4 Shield Final |
* London, affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, did not compete due to travel restrictions.

#### Matches
##### Round 3
### Division 4 Shield

* GAAGO
* 13 June 2021 15:00 IST (UTC+1) Shield Final
| Sligo | 0-9 (9) – (21) 2-15 | Wexford |
* O'Moore Park, Portlaoise Referee: David Hickey

### Division 4 Finals

| GK | 1 | Craig Lynch (Naomh Máirtin) |
| RCB | 2 | Dan Corcoran (Geraldines) |
| FB | 3 | Dermot Campbell (Dreadnots) |
| LCB | 4 | Donal McKenny (St Mary's) |
| RHB | 5 | Emmet Carolan (Newtown Blues) |
| CHB | 6 | Niall Sharkey (Glyde Rangers) |
| LHB | 7 | Eoghan Callaghan (Naomh Máirtin) |
| MF | 8 | Bevan Duffy (St Fechin's) |
| MF | 9 | Ciarán Byrne (St Mochta's) |
| RHF | 10 | Liam Jackson (St Mary's) |
| CHF | 11 | Sam Mulroy (Naomh Máirtin) (c) |
| LHF | 12 | Ciarán Downey (Newtown Blues) |
| RCF | 13 | Ciarán Keenan (St Mary's) |
| FF | 14 | Conor Grimes (Glen Emmets) |
| LCF | 15 | Ryan Burns (Hunterstown Rovers) |
| Substitutes: ||
| | 16 | Leonard Grey (St Patrick's) for Corcoran |
| | 17 | Declan Byrne (St Mochta's) for Burns |
| | 18 | Dáire Nally (Newtown Blues) for Campbell |
| | 19 | Conal McKeever (Clan Na Gael) for Duffy |
| | 20 | John Clutterbuck (Naomh Máirtin) for Carolan |
| GK | 1 | Ciarán Cunningham (Bagenalstown Gaels) |
| RCB | 2 | Liam Roberts (Kildavin/Clonegal) |
| FB | 3 | Shane Redmond (Tinryland) |
| LCB | 4 | Seán Bambrick (Old Leighlin) |
| RHB | 5 | Seán Gannon (Éire Óg) |
| CHB | 6 | John Murphy (Grange) |
| LHB | 7 | Josh Moore (Rathvilly) |
| MF | 8 | Eoghan Ruth (Éire Óg) |
| MF | 9 | Darragh Foley (Kilbride) |
| RHF | 10 | Jordan Morrissey (Éire Óg) |
| CHF | 11 | Ross Dunphy (Éire Óg) |
| LHF | 12 | Jamie Clarke (Bagenalstown Gaels) |
| RCF | 13 | Conor Crowley (Palatine) |
| FF | 14 | Paul Broderick (Tinryland) |
| LCF | 15 | Colm Hulton (Éire Óg) |
| Substitutes: ||
| | 16 | Chris Blake (Éire Óg) for Dunphy |
| | 17 | Cormac Mullins (Éire Óg) for Crowley |
| | 18 | Jason Kane (Palatine) for Ruth |
| | 19 | Jordan Lowry (Éire Óg) for Bambrick |
* GAAGO
* 13 June 2021 12:15 IST (UTC+1) Semi-Final
| Waterford | 0-11 – 1-15 | Antrim |
* Fraher Field, Dungarvan Referee: David Murnane
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, his total score in the competition after this game (22–412, i.e. 478 points) causing him to overtake Mickey Kearins (Sligo, 1961–1978).