The Allianz Football League division three final between Derry and Offaly is set to be played at Croke Park on Saturday.
It was reported on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport that Offaly county board chairman Michael Duignan confirmed that the game will be played.
Rather than play the final, the two teams had been due to share the title. That was due to a season condensed by the Covid-19 pandemic which would not have allowed Offaly a weekend off before playing in the championship.
Derry vs Offaly final to be played
Offaly and Derry have decided to play the Allianz Division 3 Football League Final.
We are awaiting official confirmation of the fixture, but it is expected to be in Croke Park on Saturday pic.twitter.com/bFs7SmqV3K— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) June 13, 2021
It seems Offaly manager John Maughan would prefer another game rather than have next weekend off. Offaly play Louth in the first round of the Leinster Championship on June 27th.
For Derry, playing the game undoubtedly makes sense. Their opening game of the Ulster Championship is not until July 11th against the winners of Down and Donegal.
In Saturday's division three semi-finals, Derry defeated Limerick 0-17 to 0-13 and Offaly beat Fermanagh 1-14 to 0-12. Both sides had won all three of their games in the group stage part of the league.
Saturday's victories mean that Offaly will play in division two for the first time since 2006 and Derry for the first time since 2017.
The game is likely to be the only league final played this season.
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