The Allianz Football League is back after a weeks break and after the first two rounds Division Four is shaping up to be the most exciting in ages.
Sligo and Cavan have set the benchmark in the race for promotion while London head to Leitrim on Sunday lunchtime looking to record an unprecedented third win on the bounce. However, Leitrim who picked up their first win under Andy Moran last time out will be looking to keep that momentum going.
In the bottom four Waterford, Tipperary, Wexford and Carlow are all after a first win. Waterford and Tipp have a point each after a defeat and a draw in their first two games respectively.
Wexford and Carlow lost their first two games and will be hoping to get some points on the board at the last this weekend.
Saturday February, 19th Carlow v Waterford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7 pm
Carlow are in desperate need of a pick me up. Edged out by London on the opening day of the season, and humiliated in the second round against Sligo.
Colm Hulton (0-5, 3f) scored all of the Carlows points as they were hammered 0-28 to 0-5.
He’ll need support in attack and the Carlow defence will need to be sharper than they have been in previous games.
Waterford were also beaten by London but Stephen Curry and David Hallihan who scored their two goals in the defeat against the Londoners will be the ones to watch, as will Darragh Corcoran and Dermot Ryan.
Waterford should finally get a first win of the league season, a defeat against a deflated Carlow will set alarm bells ringing.
Sunday February, 20th Leitrim v London, Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, 1pm ** Note Change of Venue **
Bound to be an interesting game on Sunday lunchtime as Leitrim take on London who are going for a third win in a row.
London are in unreal form and will be looking to Killian Butler, Chris Farley who top-scored for London against Waterford with 0-7 (0-7f). James Gallagher and Fearghal McMahon can cause issues for Leitrim.
Keith Beirne is in form for Leitrim as is Tom Prior and they will be looking to make sure London are woken abruptly from their dream start to the league, it’ll be a hard one to call and it is likely the bare minimum will separate the sides.
Sunday February, 20th, Wexford v Tipperary, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm
Wexford are in dire need of a boost after two defeats in their first two games.
Unfortunately for them former Munster champions are looking for their first win after being frustrated against Waterford and well beaten by Leitrim.
Tipperary were one of the favourites to challenge for promotion and will be looking for Conor Sweeney for inspiration. Sweeney scored (2-6, 0-6fs) in the defeat against Leitrim and can surely trouble Wexford’s backline.
John Turbritt can help Wexford cause a shock he scored (1-3, 2f) in the defeat against Cavan but Tipperary should win this one with ease.
Sunday February, 20th, Sligo v Cavan, ** GAME POSTPONED**
The top two meet in this clash and it’s bound to be a cracker when they meet Sunday afternoon.
Sligo have already scored 40 points this season compared to Cavan’s 29 points. They’ve also conceded just 15 and Cavan have been tight at the back and have only conceded 19 points.
Gearóid McKiernan will be the one Sligo will be keeping an eye on.
Pat Spillane Junior and Niall Murphy will be aiming to make sure Sligo are still top going into the fourth round of fixtures.
The two sides disciplined backlines won’t give the opposition too many chances and this one could end up being a tightly contested draw.
