League details
Dates15 May – 19 June 2021
Teams31
League champions
WinnersKerry/Dublin (22nd and 14th win)
Other division winners
Division 2Kildare and Mayo
Division 3Derry
Division 4 ShieldWexford
← 2020
2022 →

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.[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] This plan had been hinted at as early as September 2020.[4] Teams would play three league games, plus possibly two knockout matches, allowing the tournament to be finished in just five rounds of games.[5][6][7] 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.[8][9][10] It began on 15 May 2021.[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]

Format

League structure

Teams by Province and Division
ProvinceDivision 1Division 2Division 3Division 4Total
Connacht21025
Leinster143311
Munster12216
Ulster41319
Britain00000
Total888731

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:

  1. 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:

  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 under rule 1 above
  3. 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
15 May 2021 1 Tyrone 0-16 (16) – (18) 0-18 Donegal Omagh  
17:00 Venue: Healy Park
Report Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)


16 May 2021 1 Monaghan 1-12 (15) – (19) 1-16 Armagh Enniskillen  
15:00 Venue: Brewster Park
Referee: Ciaran Branagan


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Donegal 1–20 (23) – (23) 4–11 Monaghan Ballybofey  
17:00 Venue: MacCumhaill Park
Report Referee: Barry Cassidy


22 May 2021 2 Armagh 2–10 (16) – (21) 2–15 Tyrone Armagh  
19:00 Venue: Athletic Grounds
Referee: David Gough


Round 3

29 May 2021 3 Armagh 1-16 (19) – (19) 1-16 Donegal Armagh  
19:30 Venue: Athletic Grounds
Report


29 May 2021 3 Tyrone 0-14 (14) – (14) 0-14 Monaghan Omagh  
19:30 Venue: Healy Park
Report


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
15 May 2021 1 Kerry 4-21 (33) – (11) 0-11 Galway Tralee  
15:00 Venue: Austin Stack Park
Report Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)


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
23 May 2021 2 Dublin 4–9 (21) – (21) 1–18 Kerry Thurles  
13:45 Venue: Semple Stadium
Referee: Sean Hurson


23 May 2021 2 Galway 2–16 (22) – (16) 1–13 Roscommon Salthill  
14:00 Venue: Pearse Stadium
Referee: David Coldrick


Round 3

30 May 2021 3 Galway 1-15 (18) – (22) 2-16 Dublin Tuam  
15:45 Venue: Tuam Stadium
Referee: Brendan Cawley


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

13 June 2021
15:00 IST (UTC+1)
Relegation playoff
Armagh 1-17 (20) – (11) 0-11 Roscommon
Athletic Grounds, Armagh
Referee: Sean Hurson
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

12 June 2021
17:00 IST (UTC+1)
Semi-Final
Kerry 6-15 (33) – (17) 1-14 Tyrone
(HT: 5-06 – 0-07)
Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
Referee: Conor Lane
12 June 2021
19:15 IST (UTC+1)
Semi-Final
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

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
15 May 2021 1 Mayo 2-21 (27) – (14) 1-11 Down Castlebar  
14:00 Venue: MacHale Park
Report Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)


16 May 2021 1 Meath 0-16 (16) – (15) 0-15 Westmeath Navan  
15:45 Venue: Páirc Tailteann
Referee: Brendan Cawley


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Westmeath 2-12 (18) – (21) 0-21 Mayo Mullingar  
15:00 Venue: Cusack Park
Referee: Noel Mooney


23 May 2021 2 Down 0–14 (14) – (21) 2–15 Meath Armagh  
15:45 Venue: Athletic Grounds
Referee: Niall Cullen


Round 3

30 May 2021 3 Mayo 3-17 (26) – (18) 2-12 Meath Castlebar  
13:45 Venue: MacHale Park
Report Referee: Martin McNally


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
15 May 2021 1 Cork 0-14 (14) – (18) 2-12 Kildare Thurles  
15:30 Venue: Semple Stadium
Report Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)


16 May 2021 3 Clare 1-16 (19) – (12) 0-12 Laois Ennis  
16:00 Venue: Cusack Park
Referee: Sean Lonergan


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Laois 0–10 (10) – (18) 2–12 Cork Portlaoise  
19:00 Venue: O'Moore Park
Referee: Barry Judge


23 May 2021 2 Kildare 0–13 (13) – (16) 1–13 Clare Newbridge  
14:00 Venue: County Grounds
Referee: Fergal Kelly


Round 3

30 May 2021 3 Laois 1-8 (11) – (24) 2-18 Kildare Portlaoise  
13:45 Venue: O'Moore Park
Report Referee: Paul Faloon


30 May 2021 3 Clare 1-18 (21) – (22) 0-22 Cork Ennis  
13:45 Venue: Cusack Park
Report Referee: Derek O'Mahoney


Division 2 Relegation Playoffs

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
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

13 June 2021
13:45 IST (UTC+1)
Semi-Final
Clare 2-18 (24) – (28) 2-22 Mayo
Cusack Park, Ennis
Referee: Niall Cullen
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

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
15 May 2021 1 Longford 0-5 (5) – (21) 0-21 Derry Longford  
17:00 Venue: Pearse Park
Report Referee: Jerome Henry


15 May 2021 1 Fermanagh 0-15 (15) – (14) 0-14 Cavan Enniskillen  
19:00 Venue: Brewster Park
Report Referee: Martin McNally


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Derry 5-13 (28) – (9) 0-9 Fermanagh Owenbeg  
17:00 Venue: Derry GAA Ground
Referee: Paul Faloon


22 May 2021 2 Cavan 1-19 (22) – (16) 1-13 Longford Cavan  
19:00 Venue: Breffni Park
Referee: Cormac Reilly


Round 3

29 May 2021 3 Cavan 2-11 (17) – (19) 1-16 Derry Cavan  
15:00 Venue: Breffni Park
Referee: Padraig Hughes


29 May 2021 3 Fermanagh 1-15 (18) – (18) 1-15 Longford Enniskillen  
15:00 Venue: Brewster Park
Referee: Liam Devenney


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
15 May 2021 1 Limerick 1-13 (16) – (14) 0-14 Tipperary Limerick  
17:00 Venue: Gaelic Grounds
Report Referee: Brendan Griffin


16 May 2021 1 Wicklow 1-10 (13) – (17) 1-14 Offaly Aughrim  
14:00 Venue: County Grounds
Referee: Seamus Mulhare


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Offaly 0-16 (16) – 1-11 (14) Limerick Tullamore  
15:00 Venue: O'Connor Park
Referee: John Gilmartin


22 May 2021 2 Tipperary 2-12 (18) – 1-12 (15) Wicklow Thurles  
16:30 Venue: Semple Stadium
Referee: Seamus Mulvihill


Round 3

29 May 2021 3 Offaly 1-17 (20) – (15) 1-12 Tipperary Tullamore  
15:00 Venue: O'Connor Park
Referee: James Bermingham


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

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

Division 3 Finals

12 June 2021
16:00 IST (UTC+1)
Semi-Final
Derry 0-17 (17) – (13) 0-13 Limerick
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
19 June 2021
17:00 IST (UTC+1)
Final
Derry 0-21 (21) – (9) 1-06 Offaly
Croke Park, Dublin
Referee: Sean Lonergan
Attendance: 2,400[15]

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
15 May 2021 1 Louth 3-8 (17) – (18) 1-15 Antrim Haggardstown  
15:00 Venue: McGeough Park
Referee: Barry Tiernan


16 May 2021 1 Sligo 2-19 (25) – (18) 0-18 Leitrim Sligo  
15:00 Venue: Markievicz Park
Referee: Niall Cullen


Round 2
23 May 2021 2 Leitrim 0-10 (10) – (19) 0-19 Louth Carrick-on-Shannon  
15:00 Venue: Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada
Referee: Patrick Maguire


23 May 2021 2 Antrim 3-13 (22) – (21) 3-12 Sligo Belfast  
16:00 Venue: Corrigan Park
Referee: Conor Dourneen


Round 3

30 May 2021 3 Antrim 2-17 (23) – (22) 1-19 Leitrim Belfast  
15:00 Venue: Corrigan Park
Referee: Kevin Faloon


30 May 2021 3 Louth 3-18 (27) – (17) 1-14 Sligo Haggardstown  
15:00 Venue: McGeough Park
Referee: Sean Laverty


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
15 May 2021 1 Waterford 0-10 (10) – (25) 3-16 Carlow Dungarvan  
19:00 Venue: Fraher Field
Report Referee: John Ryan


Round 2
22 May 2021 2 Wexford 0-18 (18) – (19) 2-13 Waterford Wexford  
15:00 Venue: Wexford Park
Report Referee: John Hickey


Round 3
29 May 2021 3 Carlow 2-12 (18) – (17) 2-11 Wexford Carlow  
17:00 Venue: Dr Cullen Park
Report Referee: Fergal Smyth (Offaly)


Division 4 Shield

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

Semi-Final
Louth1-23 – 1-15Carlow
Mulroy 0-7 (5f, 1'45), Grimes 1-2, Keenan 0-3, Downey 0-3, C. Byrne 0-3, Jackson 0-2, Callaghan 0-1, Duffy 0-1, D. Byrne 0-1
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)
GK1Craig Lynch (Naomh Máirtin)
RCB2Dan Corcoran (Geraldines)
FB3Dermot Campbell (Dreadnots)
LCB4Donal McKenny (St Mary's)
RHB5Emmet Carolan (Newtown Blues)
CHB6Niall Sharkey (Glyde Rangers)
LHB7Eoghan Callaghan (Naomh Máirtin)
MF8Bevan Duffy (St Fechin's)
MF9Ciarán Byrne (St Mochta's)
RHF10Liam Jackson (St Mary's)
CHF11Sam Mulroy (Naomh Máirtin) (c)
LHF12Ciarán Downey (Newtown Blues)
RCF13Ciarán Keenan (St Mary's)
FF14Conor Grimes (Glen Emmets)
LCF15Ryan Burns (Hunterstown Rovers)
Substitutes:
16Leonard Grey (St Patrick's) for Corcoran
17Declan Byrne (St Mochta's) for Burns
18Dáire Nally (Newtown Blues) for Campbell
19Conal McKeever (Clan Na Gael) for Duffy
20John Clutterbuck (Naomh Máirtin) for Carolan


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,[20] his total score in the competition after this game (22–412, i.e. 478 points) causing him to overtake Mickey Kearins (Sligo, 1961–1978).[21]

References

  1. ↑ Connaughton, Gary (18 October 2020). "Promotion & Relegation Permutations For All Four Divisions Of National Football League". Balls.ie.
  2. ↑ "Allianz FL results & reports: Mayo and Leitrim go down". 25 October 2020 – via www.rte.ie.
  3. ↑ "Inter-county leagues and championships revamped for 2021 season". BBC Sport. 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Fogarty, John (19 December 2020). "New League structure as GAA master calendar for 2021 revealed". Irish Examiner.
  6. ↑ "Longford pitted with provincial champions in 2021 National Football League". www.longfordleader.ie.
  7. ↑ "2021 League and Championships – Overview". www.gaa.ie.
  8. ↑ "No Activity For Clare GAA Sides Until Easter At The Earliest". 11 February 2021.
  9. ↑ Fogarty, John (27 January 2021). "What will the delayed GAA season look like? Here are four possible scenarios". Irish Examiner.
  10. ↑ Fogarty, John (26 January 2021). "GAA officials redrawing League and Championship calendars". Irish Examiner.
  11. ↑ GBFM, Sport (8 April 2021). "GAA: 2021 Inter-County Fixtures Plan Released".
  12. ↑ Nolan, Pat (12 April 2021). "Dublin set to be left without a home game in Allianz League". Irish Mirror.
  13. ↑ "Dublin share League title with Kerry after win over Donegal: As it happened". independent.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. 1 2 McCormack, Richie. "GAA confirm limited attendance for NFL Division 3 final at Croke Park". Newstalk.
  16. ↑ "NFL semis and relegation play-off pairings confirmed". 30 May 2021 – via www.rte.ie.
  17. ↑ "UPDATED: Croke Park reveals counties agreed to Allianz NFL Division 4 Shield Final pairing as Leitrim end League campaign". www.leitrimobserver.ie.
  18. ↑ "GAA Official Guide - Part 1" (PDF). gaa.ie. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Harte's troops march on to Division Three with comprehensive win over Carlow". Dundalk Democrat. 19 June 2021.
  20. ↑ "Tubridy's record haul cannot stop Rebels but Banner qualify with Division 1 now in their sights". Irish Independent. 31 May 2021.
  21. ↑ "Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time". Irish Independent. 1 June 2021.
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