The race for Division Four’s top two places gathers pace this weekend when unbeaten Louth and Leitrim clash in Cooley at 2pm on Sunday.
Louth beat the Connacht side 2-10 to 1-8 in the corresponding fixture last year in Cloone, and will look to make home advantage count on Sunday.
Wayne Freeman has made a flying start to his reign in the Wee County and a third consecitive win would put his side in a strong position to claim a final place after wins over Antrim and Limerick. The win over Limerick came at a cost, though, as key player Aoife Russell picked up a nasty leg injury which is likely to keep her on the sideline for some time.
Leitrim are bubbling nicely near the top of the table with six points from a possible six so far after a couple of difficult seasons. Relegated from Division Three in 2018, they failed to take part in the Connacht championship that season and failed to make the following year’s league semi-finals under Gavin Cawley.
However, having installed Davy Clarke as manager in the aftermath of that points campaign, they did manage to win a championship relegation play-off to preserve their place in the Intermediate grade for the 2020 season.
Hugh Donnelly is looking after their fortunes now and he brings a wealth of experience to the position having worked with Cavan and Donegal and just last year guided his native Tyrone to the Ulster Minor A Championship.
They look a much improved outfit already this season and will hope to maintain their perfect start, which has included big wins against Antrim and Derry.
Like Louth the Wild Rose County will be missing their best-known player, star forward Aine Tighe, who was recruited, like opposite number Kate Flood, by Aussie Rules. In Tighe’s absence, they will look to Leah Fox, who hit 4-0 in the rout of Derry, Michelle Guckian, Vivienne Egan and Muireann Devanney.
