Does winning the league matter? | New SFC structure explained

Ciaran Whelan and Rory O'Neill join Cathal Mullaney in studio to
look ahead to this weekend's Allianz Football League finals.


First Whelo recalls his one and only league final appearance,
which took place in Cork... for some reason. He hasn't dwelt on
it much in the 30-odd years since.


The league finals mean different things to different teams
(04:00), with the likes of Wexford, Longford and Carlow placing
more emphasis on it than a Donegal or a Kerry.


As to that Division 1 final (06:00), Whelo expects both teams to
hold a little back ahead of Championship, with Kerry's lack of
Paudie Clifford giving them a perfect excuse should things not go
their way.


The Division 2 decider could be a clinker (16:50), with both
Meath and Cork free to throw off the shackles, their primary goal
of promotion already secured. Meath's familiarity with Croke Park
and Cork's celebration of Tyrone win may play a part.


The most significant final is the third tier meeting of Down and
Wexford (23:00) with Sam Maguire football likely on the line. Can
the Model men come down from their Roy of the Rovers escapades
against Westmeath, and even if they do, are Down a level above?


Carlow and Longford in Division 4 (26:45) have achieved their
objective of escaping the basement dungeon but the carrot of a
trophy for such counties cannot be discounted.


Finally Rory, the king of a championship format discussion
(28:30), takes us through the new All-Ireland football structure,
with slides for those of you watching on YouTube.


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