If it is accepted that Kerry-Sligo and Roscommon-Derry are the likely semi-finals in this year's National Football League, the unusual pairings will carry an echo of 26 and 27 years ago. Kerry, Derry and Sligo were in the last four in 1973 and a year later, Kerry, Sligo and Roscommon reached the penultimate stage. In both years, Kerry won out.

The last time the county won the league was three years ago, as a prelude to winning the All-Ireland. Derry were most recently successful in 1995 and '96 and Roscommon took their only title in 1979 but Sligo have yet to win the competition.

It is more than mere laziness to tip the teams currently in the appropriate positions for the final phases. Kerry have already qualified from Division One A and Derry are virtual certainties to come out of Division One B. Behind them, the second-placed teams, Roscommon and Sligo, have a definite edge over the chasing pack.

Roscommon have a better scoring average than Dublin and a home fixture against Donegal who, although on the periphery of the relegation zone, are likely to stay put in the top flight. Dublin, however, have to face holders Cork who need the points to avoid demotion.

Galway, a point behind Roscommon, must travel to Kerry who although already qualified have been the best team in the section. If on the other hand Galway could make up a point on their Connacht neighbours and Dublin, they would be in a good position as their scoring average is superior to everyone's except Kerry's.

Sligo are tied with Fermanagh on eight points but have a slightly better average. Furthermore they are away to Clare who, although threatened by relegation, look to be in a more manageable proposition than leaders Derry who await Fermanagh.

Given that Clare's home form is not bad, there's an argument to be made for the prospect of both Sligo and Fermanagh losing and being overtaken Meath on six points although Sligo's average is the best of all three counties in contention.

At the other end of Division One A, relegation issues are more clearcut. Armagh have already lost their place in the top division whereas Cork need to beat Dublin and hope that both Donegal and Tyrone lose their matches against Roscommon and Armagh respectively.

Division One B is a cliff-hanger with four counties on four points. Bottom team Down travel to Mayo but Kildare and Clare are both playing teams from the top half of the table. In all likelihood the losers of the Mayo-Down match will go down and be joined by whoever of Kildare and Clare do worse in their respective matches against Meath and Sligo.

Offaly and Laois will be promoted from Division Two A and Two B respectively and have already qualified for the divisional semi-finals (there is no access to the league play-offs from the lower divisions this year and instead a Division Two title will be contested).

Louth are in pole position to join Offaly although Leitrim could do Wicklow a favour by beating Louth - providing Wicklow, as expected, beat Limerick.

There's a pile-up for the second spot in Division Two B. Longford lead the chasing pack but have to upset leaders Laois' 100 per cent record. If they can't, three counties stand to benefit: Wexford, Monaghan and Cavan. Monaghan travel to Tipperary whereas Wexford and Cavan fight it out in New Ross with the winners standing an excellent outside chance of joining Laois.