It’s moving week in the hunt for promotion out of Division 4 as five sides compete for the two promotion places on offer to the third tier for next season. Laois can set the tone for the weekend with their Saturday clash over bottom side but the other top 5 sides will face off to define their league campaigns.
Laois v Waterford, 1pm @ O’Moore Park, Saturday 4th March
Laois have been in impressive form in this year’s campaign but their defeat last weekend to Wicklow has blown the promotion race wide open in this division.
The attacking firepower of Mark Barry and Paul Kingston who have hit 3-38 combined in the league campaign should be enough to see them comfortably brush off a Waterford side who have proven to be very disappointing this season.
The run in should be enough to see Laois take on the mantle of favourites to reach a final and a swift return to Division 3.
London v Carlow, 1pm @ Ruislip, Sunday 5th March
After a fantastic 2022 season, London will be disappointed to have slipped back this season but this weekend they host Carlow.
Barring a very specific set of results in the coming weeks both sides are effectively out of contention for promotion so this may be an opportunity to see some early championship build up from both camps.
Sligo v Wexford, 2pm @ Markievicz Park, Sunday 5th March
The first winner take all clash this weekend see’s Wexford make the journey to the north west to play Tony McEntee’s Sligo side who are also in the promotion hunt.
Sligo are in contention despite the lack of an individual scoring forward threat. Sean Carrabine has kept the scoreboard ticking over but this weekend’s opponents will be a tougher task as John Hegarty’s Wexford side are unbeaten since their defeat to Laois in Round 2.
Wexford will be looking to Mark Rossiter to continue his fine scoring form with 1-18 to his name in the opening four games to keep them in contention at the business end of the league but the Model county will require other results to go in their favour to secure a final place and a spot in Division 3.
Wicklow v Leitrim, 2pm @ Aughrim, Sunday 5th March
Wicklow have pulled the emergency break on the Laois route to the league final despite a late flurry of injury times goals and cards in Round 4 which has opened up the top two spots to five teams.
Wicklow will be looking to continue their momentum and will be looking to last week’s goalscorers JP Hurley, Jack Kirwan and their full forward line who contributed 0-7 to push on and move closer to the top spots.
Leitrim under Andy Moran have really grown into this league campaign and blew away Carlow in a disciplined second half performance last weekend. Forwards Jack Heslin and Keith Beirne combined in blistering style and when on form there is no defence in this division that can cope with their ability.
Final Whistle
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