This weekend’s action in Division 4 sees Leitrim and Laois go in search of a second win in the league as all other sides go in search of their first.
Waterford v Carlow, 5pm @ SETU Arena, Saturday 4th February
Carlow came from behind to draw with Wicklow in the opening round of Division 4 fixtures and will be looking to record a first win of the campaign of Saturday when they travel to Carriganore to take on Waterford on Saturday.
The Deise failed to relinquish their fast-growing claim to be the worst divisional side in the country last week when they fell to a heavy defeat to Leitrim, despite being just ahead at half-time.
Last year’s league season the Barrowsiders scraped past the Crystal County on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-8 at Cullen Park as Darragh Foley notched seven points. With Carlow having to make the trip this time round, Waterford might fancy their chances of a long awaited win.
London v Leitrim, 1pm @ McGovern Park, Sunday 5th February
London travelled to Wexford Park last weekend where they managed to draw with their hosts after a late Matthew Walsh goal. The Exiles will enjoy home advantage this week as Leitrim come calling.
The Ridge County ran riot in the second-half of their first-round encounter with Waterford and ran out winners by 16 points with the Breeze at their backs. Still, Leitrim should not be foolish enough to approach their London encounter with any laziness after the Exiles ran them close in the Connacht Championship in Ruislip last year.
That game saw Leitrim win 3-12 to 2-11 after Ryan O’Rourke netted late to seal the victory and avenge their league defeat at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in the Spring of 2022. With the counties so evenly matched as of recent, this could be the pick of this weekend’s fixtures.
Wicklow v Sligo, 2pm @ Echelon Park, Sunday 5th February
Wicklow began their first league campaign under the management of Oisín McConville with a disappointing draw away to Carlow and will be hoping for better versus Sligo, though the Connacht side could well prove more challenging.
The Yeats County will have backed themselves to be one of the promotion contenders this season but lost out to a Laois outfit freshly relegated from Division 3 last weekend. Having progressed far in the inaugural Tailteann Cup last year, they’ll feel they can do better against Wicklow.
The Garden County are another team that played their football a level above last year and will want to expose the same weaknesses that Sligo displayed last weekend. With both sides already requiring a win, things could get interesting at Echelon Park.
Laois v Wexford, 2pm @ Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Sunday 5th February
Laois got their return mission to Division 3 off to an ideal start last weekend by beating Sligo on the road, with a late Lee Walker goal sealing the result. The side will look to capitalise on their momentum by recording a victory over Wexford on Sunday.
Wexford were sickened by a late London goal last weekend and will feel let down by their poor discipline in the final stages, which saw leading attacker, Sean Nolan, and teammate Kevin O’Grady sent off.
Laois will be the favourites coming into this clash though Wexford could offer stiff opposition if they learn from the mistakes of last week.
