A sense of urgency for Leitrim in 2024 as Waterford provide first test in Allianz NFL Division 4 campaign

Perception is a funny thing, it  misleads us as often as it points the way to something profound but for Leitrim footballers, the perception out there is that 2024 is the year that the Green & Gold must finally escape Division 4 of the Allianz  League.

Next Sunday, Leitrim make one of the longest journeys on their calendar when they traipse down to Fraher Field in Dungarvan for the opening round of the Allianz Division 4 campaign (2 pm throw-in) with a sense around the county that this has got to be the year.

Whether that perception is fair or harsh is hard to tell - maybe some of it comes about with the almost traditional itchy feet supporters get when a manager enters his third year in charge of a team? You see it all the time - the first year is a getting to know you exercise, year two is progress, hopefully, and well year three, you get the idea.

Lessons from the Dome

THE LAST POINT

Andy Moran starts his third campaign at the helm of Leitrim's Senior footballers driven by the desire to finally make the breakthrough that Leitrim have threatened at times over his first two campaigns. Both campaigns saw Leitrim score what seemed like potentially breakthrough wins against Laois and Tipperary but unfortunate reverses have come back to haunt Moran.

Don't believe me? Think back to last March when Leitrim had one foot in the League Final and a place in Division 3 assured only for Sligo to hit two late points to knock Leitrim out of the reckoning, a blow that undoubtedly hung over into the disastrous loss in New York two weeks later.

Just where Leitrim are right now is hard to gauge and although the manner of the defeat to Galway in the FBD Insurance Connacht League was  disappointing, it is hard to read too much into it as Leitrim suffered a bigger loss last year to a full strength Galway and it didn't mean that much.

If there is pressure and urgency, it is the acceptance that Leitrim have got to win their first two games against Waterford and London or else promotion hopes take a fearful hit. You'd expect Leitrim to do just that but there is always the fear of an ambush.

Moran's side has lost three proven performers in Paddy Maguire, Domhnaill Flynn and Jack Heslin, big losses but perhaps they are off-set by the return of Donal Casey and Ryan O'Rourke. Keith Beirne may or may not be involved but the absence of Mark Plunkett through injury is a blow and Moran will want him back quickly.

Reasons for cheer is the emergence of young talents like Barry McNulty, Ben Guckian,  Darren Cox and Jack Foley but you can't throw all these youngsters in at the one time, on heavy pitches and in bad weather against seasoned, physical performers.

Juggling the game time of those youngsters, all of whom are U20 this year, is not going to be easy but it is a lovely dilemma for  Moran to have, particularly with losing some very experienced players from the squad.

 Leitrim should start with a win next Sunday but there is always the fear that Waterford can pull a rabbit out of the hat in the early games when they are at home. Tipperary drew with them two years ago and then lost to Leitrim but in a very tight division, nobody wants to drop points against supposedly the whipping boys of Division 4.

If they can get a run of scores early on, keep the pressure on the home side and avoid getting dragged into a dogfight, Leitrim should prevail in Dungarvan.

Disappointing ending but Leitrim vice-captain Darragh Rooney sees plenty of positives

Ahead of the new Allianz NFL Division 4 campaign, we take a brief look at the seven games facing Andy Moran’s team :

WATERFORD

Sunday January 28: Waterford v Leitrim in Dungarvan

Last NFL meeting: Leitrim 3-18 Waterford 0-11

On the face of it, this should be a gimme for Leitrim but given that Waterford always throw at least one spanner in the works, usually in Dungarvan and usually early in the League, this could be a trickier game than many expect. Everyone will expect a big, big win but that brings its own pressures. Past form suggests a Leitrim win but if Waterford keep it tight and frustrate Leitrim, this could be a tricky tie.

LONDON

Sunday February 4: Leitrim v London in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada

Last  meeting: London 1-15 Leitrim 3-12

Another game with lots of history and another that many are expecting Leitrim to win, if not easily but win nonetheless. London’s victory over an admittedly understrength Mayo will have raised a few eyebrows and in tight, tense battles, the Exiles have proven themselves able to get across the line - who will ever forget Bekan two years ago? In Pairc Sean, you’ve got to think Leitrim will win but this is a tough one.

WEXFORD

Sunday February 18: Leitrim v Wexford in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada

Last meeting: Wexford 0-19 Leitrim 0-15

Wexford proved Leitrim’s bogey team last year, beating them  in both the League and Tailteann Cup, both in very similar manners. Under  boss John Hegarty, the Model County are an improving force and if they come to Carrick with a slight bit of trepidation, they’ll come with confidence too. They’ve lost impressive keeper Darragh Brooks which could prove vital because he has broken Leitrim hearts in the past but I have a sense that Wexford are building up a head of steam and they’d be my shout for promotion.

CARLOW

Sunday February 25: Carlow v Leitrim in Netwatch Cullen Park 

Last meeting: Leitrim 2-22 Carlow 0-13

Carlow in Cullen Park has always been a bit of pick-and-mix for Leitrim over the years, sometimes, the Green & Gold run away with the game, sometimes the Barrowsiders prove too strong. This Carlow side have undergone quite a bit of change in the last two seasons but they are young and coming with a bit of talent. At home, they’re a tougher prospect so nobody should take this one for granted.

LONGFORD

Sunday March 3: Longford v Leitrim in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Last  meeting: Leitrim 0-15 Longford 1-12 (2015)

Hard to believe that it is nine years since Leitrim drew with Longford in League football, our neighbours spending the time since in the higher division. They’ll be looking for promotion back to Division 3 and back to back wins in the O’Byrne Cup, albeit over a third string Dublin side last Saturday, suggests they have something about them. Still, games between the counties take on lives of their own and much will depend on how each team are going by the beginning of March rather than any tea-leafs right now.

Moran sees potential in Leitrim's young guns

LAOIS

Saturday March 16: Laois v Leitrim in Laois Hire O’Moore Park Portlaoise 

Last  meeting: Leitrim 2-14 Laois 0-18

Laois are the big enigma of the division - probably blessed with the best talent last year, their lack of structure and shape cost, particularly in their loss to Leitrim but with Justin McNulty back at the helm in 2024, you wonder is this the year that the O’Moore County finally get their mojo back? They’ll be at home in this one over the St Patrick’s weekend and given how close it was last year, we should expect another tight and tough one.

TIPPERARY

Sunday March 24: Leitrim v Tipperary in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada 

Last meeting: Tipperary 2-8 Leitrim 2-14 (2022)

One of Leitrim’s best days over the past three years was the demolition of Tipperary in Semple Stadium two years ago. Yet it was the Premier County who would win promotion at the end of the year. They’ve a new boss at the helm in highly rated former Thomas Davis & Naas manager Paul Kelly and you can’t dispute that there isn’t raw talent in the Munster county, the problem has been delivering on it. If Kelly can get a tune out of the Tipp lads, they’ll be hard stopped.