Harte had previously guided Tyrone to a league title in 2003, his first year there, and Louth to a Division 4 final that subsequently wasn’t played against Antrim in 2021.
And while it is still mathematically possible for Derry to fall short of a league final, their ten point total and superior score difference (+25) should insulate them from any last day shockwave against Roscommon.
“You can’t say we are signed and sealed in the final but we are in a strong position,” accepted Harte.
On two points back Dublin (+28) are best placed to also qualify though Kerry, also on eight ,(+9) could still make it with a win over Galway and a Dublin defeat or draw against Tyrone. Should both sides win then Kerry would need a twenty point swing to overhaul the All-Ireland champions.
Kerry’s win in Roscommon ensured that Tyrone will play Division 1 football in 2025 with either Galway or Roscommon joining Monaghan who were relegated on Saturday night.
Galway, on five points, travel to Kerry next weekend at the same time as Roscommon are in Derry but Roscommon’s score difference is better which would preserve them if they won and Galway lost.
In Division 2, Donegal and Armagh are into a league final on Sunday week while Kildare are relegated. If Fermanagh beat Cavan in their remaining game, Louth will need a point from their remaining game against Kildare as they will have head-to-head advantage if both themselves and Fermanagh finish on five points.
Westmeath’s home draw with Down has them closer to a league final. With a remaining game away to Sligo, only a Clare win over Down in Newry could put them in trouble if they lost in Markievicz Park.
Limerick have been relegated from Division 3, with Antrim’s home game against Wicklow determining who will join them. A Wicklow win, presuming Offaly beat Limerick, would give Wicklow head-to-head advantage, should both they and Antrim finish level on four points.
There’s more last day drama in store in Division 4 after Leitrim’s one-point win over Laois and Wexford’s win over Tipperary.
Wexford, Longford and Leitrim are all on eight points now, two behind Laois who are away to Waterford next weekend and should still book a place in the final.
Leitrim would need a very big win over Tipperary to leapfrog the winners of Wexford or Longford in Longford next weekend but if there was a draw in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Leitrim would advance.
