National Football League (Ireland)

The National Football League is contested by county teams divided into four divisions (1–4), with promotion and relegation between them each year. Teams play a round-robin within their division, earning two points for a win and one for a draw. The top teams in Division 1 contest the league final, while the bottom teams in each division are relegated and the top teams from lower divisions are promoted. The league final is typically held in late March or early April, before the start of the championship.

The league was first held in 1925–26, with Laois winning the inaugural title. Originally, it was a secondary competition to the championship, but it gained prestige over the decades. In 1955–56, the league adopted a knockout final format, and in 1999 it was restructured into the current divisional system. The competition has seen various format tweaks, including the introduction of bonus points in the 1990s and the use of quarter-finals in Division 1 in some seasons. Kerry holds the record for most titles, with 23 wins as of 2024.

The league serves as a crucial preparation for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, allowing managers to test new players and tactics. It also provides competitive matches for counties outside the top tier, with promotion to Division 1 seen as a major achievement. The league final is a standalone trophy, distinct from the championship, and is often used as a marker of a county's form. In recent years, the league has also been used to trial rule changes, such as the introduction of the 'mark' in 2016.

One lesser-known fact is that the league was originally played on a knockout basis, with the final often held in October. The 1946–47 league was suspended due to a foot-and-mouth outbreak, and the 2020 edition was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with no relegation that year. The league has also seen unusual winners, such as Cavan in 1947–48 and Donegal in 1971–72, who are not traditional powerhouses. Additionally, the league has been used to experiment with the 'black card' rule in 2013 before its introduction to the championship.

Gaelic Athletic Association

The governing body for Gaelic games in Ireland, including football and hurling.

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship

The premier knockout competition in Gaelic football, held annually.

Promotion and relegation

The system by which teams move between divisions based on their league performance.