Former giants collide as league reaches Croker end
Meath and Cork will meet in the Division Two National Football League final on Sunday (13:45 GMT) while Longford and Carlow lock horns in Saturday's Division Four decider (17:00 GMT). After all four counties achieved their initial aim of promotion from the respective divisions, there is now silverware to compete for at Croke Park over the weekend. There was emotional scenes at Healy Park last weekend as Cork booked their return to the top tier for the first time in a decade while Meath are back in the big time for the first time since 2020,and have showed that last years run to the All-Ireland semi-final was no fluke.
Both counties shared three All-Ireland's through the 1990's and can boast seven All-Ireland wins apiece, so the return of two traditional powers will only boost the top division next year. Due to the renovation works at their Navan home of Pairc Tailteann, the Royals have hosted their 'home' league games at Croke - and have won all three of those fixtures (against Derry, Louth and Tyrone) so they'll be hoping that familiarity and success bears fruit. But in the latest meeting between the sides in February, Cork came out on top in an entertaining 1-23 to 1-21 win.
In Division Four, Carlow and Longford both lost twice but recovered to take the top two spots in a fiercely competitive division. Carlow won their opening four games and looked to be easing to promotion before a loss at Longford derailed their cause. Longford took just three points from a possible six in their opening three games before a last gasp win over Oisin McConville's Wicklow pushed them into the league final.