Ireland 2021 National Football League
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.
| League details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 15 May – 19 June 2021 |
| Teams | 31 |
| League champions | |
| Winners | Kerry/Dublin (22nd and 14th win) |
| Other division winners | |
| Division 2 | Kildare and Mayo |
| Division 3 | Derry |
| Division 4 Shield | Wexford |
← 2020 2022 → | |
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 | |
| 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 |
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 |
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
| Armagh | 1-17 (20) – (11) 0-11 | Roscommon |
|---|
Division 1 Finals
| Kerry | 6-15 (33) – (17) 1-14 | Tyrone |
|---|---|---|
| (HT: 5-06 – 0-07) | ||
| Donegal | 1-14 (17) – (21) 1-18 | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| (HT: 0-07 – 1-08) | ||
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 | |
| 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 |
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 |
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
| Cork | 3-22 (31) – (25) 0-25 | Westmeath |
|---|
| Down | 2-19 (25) – (18) 2-12 | Laois |
|---|
Division 2 Finals
| Clare | 2-18 (24) – (28) 2-22 | Mayo |
|---|
| Kildare | 1-14 (17) – (14) 0-14 | Meath |
|---|
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 | |
| 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 |
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 |
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
| Cavan | 0-18 (18) – (20) 3-11 | Wicklow |
|---|
| Longford | 1-13 (16) – (9) 0-09 | Tipperary |
|---|
Division 3 Finals
| Derry | 0-17 (17) – (13) 0-13 | Limerick |
|---|
| Offaly | 1-14 (17) – (12) 0-12 | Fermanagh |
|---|
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 | |
| 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 |
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 |
- London, affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games, did not compete due to travel restrictions.
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
| Sligo | 0-9 (9) – (21) 2-15 | Wexford |
|---|
Division 4 Finals
| Louth | 1-23 – 1-15 | Carlow |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Antrim and Louth shared the Division 4 title, as Louth had a championship game on 27 June 2021. League statisticsScoring events
References | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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