Football permutations - Final round of group phase

The final round of the All-Ireland group phase, the one in which the GAA assure us that drama will show its face.

"Are they out yet, so?" has been the query of the casual fan at regular intervals over the course of this summer. Finally, after this weekend, the answer, at least in the case of four counties, will be "yes".

Minimal mathematical complications in a couple of the groups, though Group 3 requires some working out. Permutations for each of the four groups are below.

GROUP 1

Were the majority of respondents to have their way and the preliminary quarter-finals be done away with, then Groups 1 and 2 would be facing into a dead rubber weekend.

It was out of fear of that outcome that the GAA originally opted to allow three teams progress from the group phase. Critics nonetheless still argue that this sacrifices too much in the way of jeopardy in the opening two rounds and lowers the stakes from the get-go.

Simultaneous throw-ins aren't necessary in either Group 1 of Group 2. The Galway-Armagh and Derry-Westmeath games have no direct impact on one another this weekend and the permutations are straightforward.

Galway and Armagh are vying for top spot in the group, while Derry and Westmeath are duking it out for third and retaining their interest in the 2024 championship.

An added wrinkle is that a draw in Markievicz Park would be sufficient for Armagh to top the group. Kieran McGeeney's side have a score difference of +16 compared to Galway's +9.

In that sense, it is more straightforward than the 2023 meeting between the pair. Last year, Armagh pipped Galway by a point in a dramatic finale in Carrick-on-Shannon to finish top on a head-to-head basis. It would have been all in vain had Tyrone not failed to beat Westmeath in the