What Limerick and their rivals need from the final rounds to avoid relegation | NFL Division 2 Permutations

For Limerick, the permutations are simple, win their remaining two games and they are safe. Anything else and Ray Dempsey’s men will be in trouble.

The action in Division 2 of the National Football League has certainly delivered in spades over the first five rounds. Each team has taken points off each other with six teams in a relegation battle with just two games to play.

In the first round, Meath shocked Cork with a goal blitz but the Rebels replied with victory over the below par Lilywhites. Clare were subsequently beaten by Kildare but the Banner got the upper hand in round one against Louth. Last year’s Division 3 champions got their first win over Limerick who held the Royals in the most recent round of games.

Derry and Dublin have beaten all before them at the other end of the table with Derry’s win in Celtic Park the only blight on either resume and it is hard to see either slip up between here and the final whistle in three weeks time.

That leaves the other six sweating over the final pair of rounds, although some are in a far better position than others with a seismic turn of events needed to see either Cork or Louth dragged into it.

• Cork: 6pts | +39 | Louth (A), Derry (H)
• Louth: 6pts | +6 | Cork (H), Dublin (A)
• Meath: 5pts | -6 | Dublin (H), Kildare (A)
• Kildare: 2pts | -32 Limerick (A), Meath (H)
• Clare: 2pts | -13 | Derry (A), Limerick (H)
• Limerick: 1pts | -47 | Kildare (H), Clare (A)

For Limerick, the permutations are simple, win their remaining two games and they are safe. Anything else and Ray Dempsey’s men will be in trouble. A defeat in either game ensures relegation. The two wins would push the Shannonsiders to five points and leave Kildare/Clare on a maximum of four were they to win their other game.

A draw and a win would be enough if they rectified their scoring difference and a string of results went in their favour. Were Limerick to beat Kildare/Clare and draw the other clash, that would leave them on four points. Whoever they draw with would have to draw their other game to leave them also on four points which would bring it to scoring difference with Limerick currently way behind in that regard. For this scenario to work in Limerick’s favour, they would need to draw with Kildare, beat Clare by 14 and hope Kildare draw with Meath. For a draw with Clare to work, Limerick would need overcome a 35-point difference. If each of the three teams end up on four points, then it will also go to scoring difference.

Cork are as good as safe barring a run of results in the final rounds. They can only be caught if they remain on six points and more than one other finish level with them. That would bring it to score difference and Cork are clear in that regard on +39. A point in their final two games will also do for the Rebels who are still in with a shout of promotion if Dublin slip up.

Louth are in a similar boat to Cork with a slightly worse score difference (+6). They hold a head-to-head over Kildare and Meath but were beaten by Clare. However, it seems unreasonable to suggest Mickey Harte’s men will be dragged into a relegation battle.

The draw with Limerick has pushed Meath into a favourable position as they sit two results clear of the bottom three as it stands. And with Kildare in the final round, a draw will be enough regardless of the result against Dublin next time out. But if Kildare win their remaining games they would leapfrog their provincial men should they lose out against the Dubs.

Clare’s last-hour collapse against Kildare in round two has certainly come back to haunt them as they lie second from bottom and in real jeopardy of retaining their D2 status. They need to do better than Kildare in the remaining two games or they will be relegated on head-to-head. Two losses for themselves and Kildare will see both relegated.

Kildare need to add to the Banner victory to ensure safety but know a win over Limerick will set up a final day showdown with Meath that would see them hold their fate in their own hands.

Such has been the nature of the first five rounds, Derry and Dublin aside, six are still unsure of their status for 2024. Cork and Louth hold the aces but things in this division have swung from week to week.

For Limerick the path to safety is a clear one, win the last two and they’re safe, anything else and a swift return to division 3 is on the cards.

Division 2 Round Five Fixtures

Saturday, March 18

Meath v Dublin at 3pm

Sunday March 19

Limerick v Kildare at 3.45pm

Derry v Clare at 1pm

Louth v Cork at 1pm