Major boost as McNulty named to start for Leitrim against Carlow

Leitrim’s hopes of continuing their Tailteann Cup campaign this year was given a massive boost with the news that talisman Barry McNulty has been named to start Saturday’s do-or-die round 2B clash against Carlow in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

Steven Poacher has named his 26 strong match day squad for the clash that could see Leitrim continue their season into round 3 in early June or finish their season against the Allianz NFL Division 4 champions Carlow who inflicted a 4-22 to 2-5 defeat on the Green & Gold in the final game of the Allianz League.

McNulty’s return was not expected at this stage, the Leitrim manager believing that the Glencar Manorhamilton clubman would not have recovered in time from an ankle injury to make the game but his inclusion is a major fillup for the team.

Allen Gaels’ Arek Oberwan is the only other change to the starting line-up with the Drumshanbo man in line for his first start for the Senior team, having seen action in 2024 off the bench against Kildare and Wicklow in the Tailteann Cup.

Aughavas’ Eanna McNamara and Melvin Gaels’ Kieran Clancy drop back to the bench which also sees the inclusion of St Mary’s Paul Keaney in a match day squad for the first time this year, the Carrick man suffering an injury before the season began that ruled him out of action.

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Five Fenagh St Caillins players are included in the starting line-up with three each from Mohill and St Mary’s Kiltoghert with one from Glencar Manorhamilton, Allen Gaels, Aughavas and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins.

For the second week in a row, Leitrim have not named any stand-by players for the game on Saturday which has a 5.30 pm throw-in time.

The full Leitrim team is as follows:

1. Killian Gaffey St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
2. Arek Oberwan Allen Gaels
3. Conor Reynolds Annaduff
4. Seán Harkin Mohill
5. Eoin McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillins
6. Mark Diffley St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
7. Keith Keegan Mohill
8. Conor Quinn Mohill
9. Barry McNulty Glencar Manorhamilton
10. Fergal McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillins
11. Ben Guckian St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
12. Riordan O'Rourke Fenagh St Caillins
13. Paul Honeyman Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins
14. Ryan O'Rourke (C) Fenagh St Caillins
15. Oisín McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillins
16. Daire O'Shea St Mochta’s Louth
17. Eanna McNamara Aughavas
18. Colm McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillins
19. Peter Prior Drumreilly
20. Jack Kelly Glencar Manorhamilton
21. Ruairi O'Rourke Fenagh St Caillins
22. Tom Plunkett Aughawillan
23. Kieran Clancy Melvin Gaels
24. Paul Keaney St. Mary’s Kiltoghert
25. James Rooney Glencar Manorhamilton
26. Bailey McBride Glencar Manorhamilton