High flyers Laois bid to remain unbeaten as they host Wicklow, while both Sligo and Leitrim hope to step up the race for promotion.
Waterford v Wexford, 4pm @ SETU Arena, Saturday 25th February
Waterford are still without a win in the bottom division after last weekend’s seven point defeat to Sligo. The Deise will have thought of this weekend’s game as one in which they could compete though the Wexford side they now face have newly gained momentum.
It’s been a solid enough campaign from the Slaney men so far and they will have been delighted to get their opening league win (a four point victory over Leitrim) last week. They’ll fancy their chances of getting a result against a Waterford side on a miserable run.
Last year Wexford scraped past the Deise by a single point and this weekend’s tie could be a close run affair once again.
Laois v Wicklow, 7pm @ Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Saturday 25th February
Laois have shown themselves to be top dogs in the fourth tier this season and look set for an immediate bounce back to Division Three. A six point win over Carlow last time out will have done the confidence of the O’Moore County no harm ahead of their tie with Wicklow.
After a poor start Wicklow finally nabbed their first win of the league last week after they beat the Exiles 1-16 to 1-9 at home. The Garden County were relegated from the third tier alongside Laois last year and so they will be familiar with their opposition.
These two sides produced a high scoring affair in the first round of last year’s league, with Wicklow triumphing on a score line of 5-15 to 4-12 in Aughrim. If this weekend’s tie plays out similarly then it will be the pick of this round’s fixtures.
London v Sligo, 1pm @ McGovern Park, Sunday 26th February
Two losses in a row sees London sitting in seventh position ahead of their game versus Sligo on Sunday. The Exiles will be hoping that home comforts help them to a result over their Connacht opponents.
The Yeats County are in third after two wins on the bounce after a false start in the opening round. A Sean Carrabine masterclass helped the county to a comprehensive win over Waterford last weekend though another win will be required this round if they are to continue to challenge for promotion.
The two counties met in the first round of last season’s fourth division at Markievicz Park. The home side were victorious that day, beating the visitors 3-15 to 2-16 in an engaging battle.
Leitrim v Carlow, 2pm @ Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Sunday 26th February
Leitrim suffered a setback in their quest for promotion last time out after they were overcome by Wexford on the road. The Ridge County are still in the mix for a final appearance but a win over their Leinster opponents will be necessary to keep the pressure on this Sunday.
Carlow will be disappointed not to have held on to the five point lead they had over Laois at one stage last weekend. However, they’ll now feel they have the ability to challenge the best after they did so well for much of last weekend’s encounter.
Leitrim won out 2-14 to 11-0 when they met Carlow at Cullen Park in round five of last year’s league. Keith Beirne was credited with scoring 1-10 that day and if Carlow fail to match him again then it’s likely Leitrim will earn another positive result.
