LEAGUES ON THE LINE AS LEITRIM COUNTY TEAMS FACE CRUCIAL TIES

Leitrim's League hopes for the Mens and Ladies football teams and the County hurlers face huge tests next weekend with three games that will have an enormous bearing on the future of all three teams.

Steven Poacher's team take on Louth in the Allianz NFL Division 3 knowing that unless they win against Mickey Harte's Offaly in Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin on Sunday, their sojourn in the Division will come to an end if Fermanagh pick up a point the day before against Sligo.

With Antrim now having the head to head result against the Green & Gold after last Saturday's 4-16 to 1-11 defeat in Corrigan Park, Leitrim will need to win all three games against Offaly, Fermanagh and Sligo to avoid the drop back to Division 4 with Fermanagh, Laois and Antrim all on four points. 

Jonny Garrity's Ladies team are in a good position to seal a place in the Lidl LGFA Division 4 semi-finals if they beat neighbours Longford in Pairc Cil Tiobraid on Sunday (2pm throw-in). A victory would guarantee Leitrim a place in the top four with a round to go.

However, a loss to Longford would see the midlanders move level on points with the Green & Gold with a game to play and they would only need to match Leitrim's result in the final group game to deny Garrity's side a place in the semi-finals although a win for last year's All-Ireland IFC champions against Sligo would see the matter come down to scoring difference.

Mike Wall's hurlers came away with a valuable point against leaders Louth in the Allianz NHL Division 3 last Sunday and next Saturday, they host Monaghan in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, a home game for the Green & Gold.

A win would see the hurlers remain in second place with two rounds still to play and put them in contention for promotion, the top two teams from Division 4 earning automatic promotion.