Leitrim demolish Kilkenny to go top of Lidl NFL Division 4

Leitrim gave an awesome demonstration of their scoring power when they hit a helpless Kilkenny for eight goals and 20 points in last Sunday’s one-sided Lidl LGFA NFL Division 4 clash at the HW Hire Kilkenny Training Centre in Dunmore.

Even without the top scoring Muireann Devaney, Kate Gormley and Ailbhe Clancy in their 30 strong match day squad and defenders Rachel McIntyre and Niamh Morahan and keeper Martina Gallagher also rested, Leitrim simply blitzed an unfortunate Kilkenny as they suffered their heaviest defeat of the campaign.

Unbeaten Carlow inflicted a 39 point beating on their neighbours, winning 4-28 to 0-1, but Jonny Garrity’s side went one better with a 40 point winning margin to leave them top of the Division 4 table on scoring difference from the Barrowsiders who they take on in the final round of the League on Sunday March 8.

In a much changed line-up, there were first starts of the campaign for Kinlough’s Roisin McGloin, Mohill’s Caoimhe Canning, St Joseph’s Shannen O’Rourke, Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins’ Aoibhinn McGoldrick, Bornacoola’s Michelle Hackett, St Brigid’s Edel Shanley and Siomha Quinn, Keeldra Gaels’ Saoirse Davis and Glencar Manorhamilton’s Dearbhla Rooney.

Those nine changes appeared to have no effect whatsoever on Leitrim’s potency as the visitors led by 6-12 to no score at the halftime break. The scoring rate slowed in the second half, Kilkenny managing their highest score of the campaign so far with 1-1 but Leitrim added a further 2-8 to cruise to victory.

ROSCOMMON'S SHANNON GAELS WINS TOP PRIZE IN GAA GLOR NA NOG AS CARRICK CAMOGIE CLAIM LEITRIM HONOURS

With Leitrim facing Wicklow in Ballinamore next Sunday, a win against the team second from bottom would simply confirm Leitrim’s place in the League semi-finals. In all honesty, that has already been achieved with only three teams able to catch the Green & Gold and Carlow - Offaly, Sligo and Longford.

However, Offaly will be playing both Sligo and Longford in their final three matches which would knock a potential loser out of the reckoning. With Carlow having games against Derry, Longford and Leitrim, a win at home next Sunday against Derry would seal their place in the semi-finals.

Leitrim also have a trip to Derry on Sunday March 1, before a potential top of the table clash with Carlow in the final round on Sunday March 8, but the emphasis then will be very much on securing the best possible draw for the semi-finals, a place where Leitrim have faltered in the past two seasons.

Offaly could be the team to avoid, if at all possible, with a three point loss to Leitrim in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, and a two point defeat to Carlow next Sunday.

Sligo could also be a potential banana skin but the confidence Leitrim are playing with and the sheer scale of the talent at Jonny Garrity's disposal means they are definitely the team to beat in Division 4.