Leitrim return from London with the points and remain top of Division 4, tied with Laois who beat Wexford. Sligo are up and running with Carlow picking up their first competitive victory of 2023.
Waterford 0-10 Carlow 1-11 @ Carriganore
Carlow picked their first win up with a four point-victory over Waterford away from home.
The game was a tight-knit affair and a nicely taken 43rd minute goal from Carlow midfielder Niall Hickey proved crucial to the final result.
Despite a bright start from the Deise, Carlow took a one point lead into the break. Points from Darragh Foley and Hickey’s goal early in the second period shocked Waterford.
The visitors led by seven points at one stage, but Waterford lessened it as the game progressed and will regret a saved shot on goal from Dylan Guiry.
Laois 1-18 Wexford 1-13 @ O’Moore Park
Laos remained unbeaten after they beat Wexford by five points thanks in no small part to the scoring exploits of Evan O’Carroll (1-04), Paul Kingston (0-06) and Mark Barry (0-06).
Wexford played well in the latter parts of the opening half to cancel out a Laois lead by the interval.
Mark Rossiter notched ten points for the visitors and kept his side in the game but the O’Moore County’s scoring in the final ten minutes proved to much for the Model County in the end.
Wicklow 0-12 Sligo 0-18 @ Echelon Park
A six-point win over the Garden County got Sligo’s league campaign up and running at Aughrim.
The first 35 minutes was a tight affair and Wicklow went into the break ahead on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-6 courtesy of a pointed free from ‘keeper Mark Jackson.
Though the hosts started the second period the better, Sligo soon found the correct gear. The Yeats led by just a single point heading into the final 21 minutes but motored ahead of their opposition to secure a victory topped off by a well-worked Alan Reilly point late on.
London 1-15 Leitrim 3-12 @ McGovern Park
Leitrim continue to look like promotion contenders after they emerged from a challenging trip to Ruislip with a three-point win over the Exiles.
Recent meetings between these teams have been cagey and the first half was just that and Leitrim took a 0-6 to 0-3 lead into the break.
Goals from Keith Beirne and Donal Wrynn saw the Ridge County finally open a gap over their determined opponents in the second half. London kept in touch through some fine point-taking and a Daniel Clarke goal saw things level until Tom Prior hit back with the visitor’s third soon after.
After Henry Walsh had been sent off earlier for London, a red for Michael Clarke late in the tie severely damaged the hosts’ chances and Leitrim went on to seal a second win on the bounce.
