Allianz Football League: All you need to know about this weekend's finals

All roads lead to Croke Park for the Allianz Football League finals this weekend and there is Ulster representation in three of the four finals.

Whilst the debate rumbles on about whether the league finals should be scrapped to allow teams more time to prepare for the Championship, they are still here in 2024 and serve up some exciting games.

On Saturday, Laois take on Leitrim in the Division Four decider, before Down face Westmeath in the Division Three final at 19:15 GMT.

On Sunday, a mouth-watering Division Two decider sees Ulster rivals Armagh and Donegal lock horns with throw in at 13:45 BST.

Then, in the Division One showpiece, there is another intriguing match-up as Derry will take on All-Ireland winners Dublin at 16:00 BST.

BBC Sport NI takes a look at everything you need to know about this weekend's action.

Derry out for revenge against Dubs

Mickey Harte, a huge advocate for keeping the league finals, will be hopeful of adding another Division One title to his list of honours after leading Tyrone to glory as manager in 2003.

He was able to rest a few players for the final league game against Roscommon, with a place in the final all but assured.

Brendan Rogers and Ciaran McFaul were two of those not selected for 2-19 to 1-9 victory, as Derry finished top of Division One.

They are set to return for the decider against Dublin, who routed a young Tyrone side 5-18 to 0-12 last weekend.

Gareth McKinless suffered a broken nose early in the game against Roscommon and is unlikely to feature.

The Dubs inflicted a first defeat of the season on the Ulster champions earlier this campaign with a deserved 1-16 to 1-11 victory at Celtic Park.

Derry were not at full strength for that game with the influential Conor Glass absent, with Harte set to recall all of the big guns as the Oak Leafers look to lay down a marker against the All-Ireland champions.

Armagh and Donegal renew rivalry

Armagh and Donegal go head-to-head in the Division Two final off the back of a tense 1-9 to 0-12 draw when these two sides met at the Athletic Grounds in February.

That was the only game that Donegal didn't take maximum points from as they finished the league campaign in top spot with six wins from their seven fixtures.

Jim McGuinness opted to play the majority of his regulars to maintain momentum in their final league outing, a 1-18 to 1-10 win against Meath, but this came at a cost.

Paddy McBrearty pulled up after 20 minutes and Ryan McHugh was also forced off after taking a hefty hit to the shoulder. Whether the pair are fit to feature in the final remains to be seen.

McGuinness, who is one of those critical of the current inter-county schedule, conceded that he will rotate his squad for the Easter Sunday decider to include players who have not featured yet in the campaign because of injury.

He already has one eye on preparing for the Ulster Championship opener against provincial holders Derry at Celtic Park in April.

Armagh, like Donegal, have also sealed an immediate return to Division One, ending the league campaign unbeaten but with two draws.

Kieran McGeeney rested players such as Aidan Forker and Andrew Murnin for that game, whilst Aidan Nugent, Jarly Og Burns and Oisin O'Neill all came off the bench.

The quintet will be hoping to be involved from the start at Croke Park, as will Rian O'Neill, who earned his first start against Cork following cameo appearances against Donegal and Cavan.

Laverty keen to guide Down to silverware

Down have impressed in Division Three in their second season under Conor Laverty.

They topped the table, finishing their league campaign unbeaten, as they earned promotion at the second time of asking after narrowly missing out last season.

The Mourne County also lost the Tailteann Cup final in 2023 and Laverty will be hoping his side can come out on top in the league final on Saturday to pick up some silverware as they continue their steady progress under his stewardship.

Down will be up against a Westmeath side with whom they drew 0-13 to 1-10 with in Mullingar earlier this month.

Westmeath finished second in Division Three and come into the final off the back of suffering a final day 1-14 to 0-11 loss against Sligo, their first defeat of the campaign alongside their worst performance to date.

In Division Four, Laois, who thrashed Waterford in their final league game, take on Leitrim, who beat Tipperary to seal promotion and a place in the decider.