D-day Super Sunday for the GAA and here are Pat Spillane's predictions for ups and downs

The GAA has its version of Super Sunday this afternoon.

Close your eyes and think how Sky Sports would cover the action.

There would be split screens, live inserts from all the key games, the breaking news strapline would be constantly updated, and the predictor model would be rolled out.

It will be a roller-coaster afternoon with a guaranteed couple of stings in the tale.

So let's examine some of the permutations as the GAA goes about its football business in a rather quieter way.

DIVISION 1

Kerry will contest next weekend's Allianz League final - but everything else is up for grabs.

Monaghan, Dublin, Tyrone, Donegal and Kildare could all still be relegated.

But if Tyrone, Donegal and Kildare all win they will join Mayo and Armagh on seven league points and the finalists will be decided on scoring difference.

Alternatively, five teams could end up on five points if Monaghan and Dublin drew and Tyrone, Donegal and Kildare all lose.

So scoring difference would decide which two drop out of the top flight.

If Mayo beat Kildare in Carrick-on-Shannon they will join Kerry in the final, regardless of the result of the Armagh v Donegal game.

Alternatively, if Mayo draw or are beaten and Armagh win then Kieran McGeeney's side are assured of a final place.

At the other end of the table, if there is a loser between Dublin and Monaghan they are relegated, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

Actually, they are only a fraction of the permutations in the top section, but I don't want to fry readers' heads on a Sunday morning.

DIVISION 2

Galway have secured promotion, while Down are relegated.

They will be joined in Division 3 next season by either Offaly or Cork, who meet in Tullamore.

Though they are level on points a draw will suffice for the Rebels as they have a better scoring difference (-27 compared to -34).

Offaly must win - otherwise their short stay in Division 2 is over.

Clare could end up level with Cork and Offaly if there is a draw in Tullamore, and the Banner lose away to Down.

But unless Clare suffer a 20-point plus hiding in Newry, they are safe due to their -7 scoring difference.

It is relatively straightforward at the other end of the table. Roscommon have to beat neighbours Galway to return to the top flight.

After all their spring heroics Derry will miss out on promotion, regardless of the result of their match against Meath, if Roscommon win.

However, if Roscommon lose and Derry win then the Ulster side will be promoted.

In the event of Roscommon drawing and Derry winning, then scoring difference will decide the issue as the round-six game between the counties finished in a draw.

DIVISION 3

Going into today's final round no team has been promoted or relegated.

Louth are in pole position - a draw against Wicklow will see Mickey Harte's side return to Division 2.

Provided Limerick beat Fermanagh they will join them in Division 2 and feature in the Sam Maguire Cup, regardless of their fate in the provincial series.

But Antrim and Westmeath - who face each other today - are not out of the hunt yet if Louth or Limerick slip up.

In the event of Louth losing and Limerick drawing there will be a three-way tie at the top, provided the Antrim v Westmeath match does not finish level.

There is also possible scenario of four teams: Limerick, Antrim, Westmeath and Fermanagh all finishing on eight points if Fermanagh beat Limerick and Antrim draw with Westmeath.

Two of Longford, Laois or Wicklow will be relegated.

Laois need a draw today against Longford to be safe. On the other hand, Longford must win.

In the event of Longford winning and Wicklow failing to beat Louth, then Laois and Wicklow are relegated because Longford beat Laois earlier in the campaign.

If Longford and Wicklow both win and join Laois on five points, then scoring difference would decide which two drop down.

DIVISION 4

Regardless of the outcomes of yesterday's games, the decision not to have the same throw-in times for the four matches, as happened in the other divisions, undermines the integrity of the competition. Let's put it this way - there is ab solutely no way it would happen in Division 1. It doesn't augur well for the new Tailteann Cup.

HOW LEAGUE POSITIONS ARE DECIDED

l If two teams finish on equal points, the head-to head-decides table position. l If three or more teams finish on the same points, scoring difference decides position. l In the unlikely event of teams having equal scoring difference; the next criteria for separating them is highest total score for, followed by highest goals total for, with a play-off being the fourth and last resort.