Peter Canavan: Ditching league finals would benefit the integrity of the competition

RTÉ football analyst Peter Canavan believes the time may have come to dispense with league finals, arguing that it would benefit the integrity of the competition.

While no team has officially booked their spot in the Division 1 final in 2024 - though Derry are on the brink - Canavan believes that league finals increase the likelihood of teams picking weakened sides in these circumstances.

Last season, Mayo were already assured of league final place with a round to spare, availing of the opportunity, in the midst of a tight schedule, to rest players for the final game against Monaghan.

Though the match was of little consequence to Mayo, it had huge implications for the relegation battle, Vinny Corey's side grabbing a vital win in Castlebar, which ultimately saw Armagh demoted after they lost away to Tyrone on the same afternoon.

In Canavan's estimation, if the league title was simply awarded to the team that finished top of the table after seven rounds, this would lessen the chances of this scenario occurring.

"The nature of the league with the league finals is that teams that are already through, could play weakened teams," Canavan said on Allianz League Sunday.

"And that could be to the detriment of some team. It could put some team down.

"I would say there would be a lot of support if they decided to look into the structure of the National League, to do away with the league finals. I know that mightn't go down well in some quarters.

"The integrity of the competition is paramount and at the minute I don't think you're getting that.

"And if it was a straight race to the top, then Kerry would be going out trying to win their last game, Donegal and Armagh likewise in their last game in Division 2."