PREVIEW: Carlow a major step up but shackles are off for Leitrim after promotion success

Finals are there for winning and now that the promotion has finally been achieved, Leitrim have nothing to lose as they chase glory in next Sunday's Lidl LGFA NFL Division 4 Final against Carlow in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park Birr (2 pm throw-in).

But there is one potentially large fly in the ointment and that is a well drilled and talented Carlow team who handed Jonny Garrity's troops their only defeat of the regular League phase, a 2-7 to 0-11 victory made all the more notable that it was away from home in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada at the beginning of March.

Reading into that game is difficult - Leitrim were at almost full strength, bar Ailbhe Clancy, Laura O'Dowd and Kate Gormley, and they led 0-7 to 0-1 after playing with a gale force wind in the second half. Carlow, who played an extreme version of possession football where they were contention to hold onto the ball without even attempting a score for long periods.

The Barrowsiders changed tack in the second half, going more direct and were well worth their win but what was really illuminating was the fact they started some second string players before bringing on their starters during the course of the second half.

Notably, Carlow are more than adept at that sort of slow possession play that denies Leitrim the quick turnover ball they thrive on. Garrity's troops have made a template of flooding big numbers back to thwart opposition attacks before forcing turnovers and breaking at incredible speed.

GARRITY WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL LEITRIM WON PROMOTION

It helps that you have scoring forwards of the calibre of Muireann Devaney, Clancy, Gormley, Leah Fox and Michelle Guckian but the really hard work is in maintaining discipline in defence and not conceding frees.

Carlow are a physical team, quick off the mark and in Sara Doyle and  Cliodna Ni Sé, they possess players with the ability to grab scores. They are also tigerish in defence and Leitrim could be in for a repeat of the tight and tense encounter they faced against Sligo in the semi-final.

Leitrim felt that they left the first game behind them, citing a few decisions that went against them, but Carlow will think that  there is a lot more in them as well so it makes for a fascinating contest.

Mentally, Leitrim have been released from the pressure of having finally achieved promotion and in theory, that should improve their form but there is also a danger that their focus may slip.

This one will go right down to the wire. Carlow are as good a team as I've seen in this grade in recent years but Leitrim have the raw talent and desire to land the title if they get their performance right on the day.