Preview: D3 Allianz Football League

There is so much to play for at the top and bottom of the table in the penultimate weekend in Division 3.

Louth against Antrim is the stand-out game of the weekend. The two teams are at the top of the division on seven points; Antrim just ahead on score difference.

Bottom side Wicklow travel to Longford on Sunday. The Midlanders are two points ahead of the Garden County who are the only side without a win in the division. 

Laois v Limerick, Saturday 19th March, MW Hire O’Moore Park, at 7pm

Despite lying sixth in the table Laois can still get promoted; if they win their final two games and other results go their way. They had a comprehensive win over Wicklow last weekend. The win was much needed for Billy Sheehan’s side who were three games without a win.

Sheehan has used 25 players in the league, so far. James Kelly got injured against Fermanagh and has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Diarmaid Bennett came in to replace him last weekend. Dylan Kavanagh made his debut against Wicklow and put in an excellent display.

After losing at home to Westmeath last weekend, Limerick will hope to bounce back when they travel to Portlaoise. Limerick were ahead by a goal at the break 1-5 to 0-5 but Westmeath turned it around in the second half. Limerick couldn’t get the scores they needed to get back into the game. Pádraig De Brun was sent off in injury time.

Longford v Wicklow, Sunday 20th March, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, at 2pm

Longford failed to build on their great win over Westmeath as they lost to Antrim in Belfast last weekend. The game was over as a contest at half-time with the Saffrons ahead by 11 points. Wicklow also fell to a heavy defeat to Laois last weekend.

This is a huge game for both sides. A win for Wicklow might not stop them from getting relegated to Division 4. A win for Longford will relegate Wicklow and leave them with a showdown away to manager Billy O’Loughlin’s Laois in their final game.

Longford were poor in the opening half against Antrim. They gave away a penalty in the opening seconds They did up their performance in the second half but the damage had been done. Wicklow fell by 12 points at home to Laois. They played with the wind in the first half and failed to take advantage of that.

Louth v Antrim, Páirc Mhuire, Sunday 20th March, at 2pm

Who would have thought the two sides promoted from Division 4 last year would be battling for promotion from Division 3 and they both thoroughly deserve to be in the position they are. After a slow start Louth have impressed of late and have recorded three wins in a row; all against sides pushing for promotion.

Last weekend Louth defeated promotion chasing Fermanagh. Tommy Durnin scored a goal with just 20 seconds gone on the clock. Sam Mulroy added a second goal as the Wee County were ahead by four at the interval. They never let up in the second half as they claimed an important win.

Antrim come into this game after a fine win at home to Longford. They were impressive especially in the forward line with Conor Murray in excellent form. Wing-back Marc Jordan also had a great game. An intriguing battle is in store in Ardee.

Westmeath v Fermanagh, Sunday 20th March, TEG Cusack Park, at 2pm

Westmeath are back in the promotion race following their win away to Limerick last weekend while Fermanagh’s promotion hopes were dealt a blow when they were beaten by an in-form Louth side. Westmeath are ahead of Fermanagh by just one point.

After their surprise defeat to Longford, Westmeath bounced back with a win away to Limerick. It was a fine performance from Jack Cooney’s side who turned a three point half-time deficit into a six point winning margin. Sam McCartain received a black card before the break while Nigel Harte was sent off in second half stoppage time.

Fermanagh went into the game against Louth with two wins in a row. They were dealt blows in the first half when Tommy Durnin and Sam Mulroy scored goals for Louth. The goals left the Erne County chasing the game and they couldn’t find a way back.