NFL feature: The roll of honour

Shaun Casey charts those who have led the way in National Football League Division One titles

Kerry (23)

LIKE the All-Ireland roll of honour, Kerry also has the most National League titles. The Kingdom have also lost seven league deciders and haven’t claimed the crown since 2022. Then, they lost just once throughout the entire campaign, a final round tie against Tyrone, before going on to hammer Mayo in the final by 15-points to complete three league titles in a row. Kerry have won the league title in every decade apart from the 1940s and head into this year’s campaign, which starts against Donegal on Sunday, aiming for a 24th title.

Dublin (14)

FOR a period of time under Jim Gavin, Dublin completely dominated the National League as well as the All-Ireland series. When Gavin took over in 2013, Dublin ended a 20-year wait for a National League title. The Dubs competed in six league finals in a row, losing just one of them, to Kerry in 2017. Before Gavin’s tenure, Dublin only had eight league titles to their names but now sit second in the roll of honour with 14. Dublin are also one of the few teams that have lost more league finals than they’ve won, suffering 15 defeats, including last year’s decider against Derry.

Mayo (13)

MAYO’S 2019 National League victory was widely celebrated not only because they’d earned their first title since 2001, but because that team finally won a national final at Croke Park and climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand. The Westerners went on to add another title in 2023, beating rivals Galway by three points, having lost the final 12 months previous against Kerry. Most of Mayo’s league titles were picked up in the 30s and 40s, with only three of their league final wins coming inside the last 50 years. Of course, they’ve had their fair share of defeats as well and have lost eight league finals in total.

Cork (8)

IT’S over 10 years since Cork last won the National League and 2015 was the last time they competed in the final. Now competing in Division Two, it looks like it could be a while before the Rebels are back battling it out for the big prize. Cork went all the way in 2010, with their NFL triumph proving a useful platform for the All-Ireland series as they went on to capture the Sam Maguire Cup later that year. They backed up that glory in 2011 and 2012 to complete three league titles in a row but lost out quite heavily to Dublin in their last foray into the decider back in 2015.

Meath (7)

2000 was the last time that the Royal County featured in a National League final and it’s over 30 years since they last won one. Meath are now plying their trade in Division Two, so it’s unlikely they’ll end that drought anytime soon. Meath overcame Armagh in 1994 to claim their seventh National League title, their third inside six seasons, adding to their crowns from 1988 and 1990. They last reached the league decider 25 years ago where they lost to Derry by two-points after a replay.

Derry (7)

LAST year’s National League final was arguably the game of the season, and it was ultimately decided via penalties. Derry and Dublin left it all on the field in the final and in the end, it was Mickey Harte’s team that came out on top, winning the penalty shootout 3-1. It was Derry’s first taste of league success since 2008 when they were worthy four-point winners over Kerry, 2-13 to 2-9. Derry were back in the league final in 2009 again but lost out to the Kingdom while Dublin proved much too strong in 2014 as well.

Galway (4)

GALWAY have appeared in the league final 11 times but have only ever come out on top four times, the most recent being in 1981. Since then, the Tribesmen have contested six league finals and failed to taste victory in any of them. Most recently, Galway competed in the 2023 decider but lost out to their old foes Mayo by three-points while Dublin were four-points better off in 2018. Back in 1981, Galway overcame Connacht rivals Roscommon to claim their fourth National League crown.

Down (4)

ONE of only two Ulster teams to feature in this list, Down have won the National League on four occasions. They haven’t got their hands on the trophy since 1983 and the Mourne men haven’t even reached the final since 1990. The great Down team of the 60s that claimed three All-Ireland titles, also won three National League titles during that time as well before earning the crown once again in ’83. The men in red and black have competed in eight National League finals in all, winning four and losing four. 1990 was their last appearance, when they lost to Meath, 2-7 to 0-11.