UPDATED: Leitrim s League hopes over as Louth second half surge kills off dream
LEITRIM 0-10 LOUTH 0-19
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A ferocious second half showing from Mickey Harte s Louth condemned Leitrim to a second defeat in the Allianz NFL Division 4 North campaign in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, a defeat that ended the Green & Gold ambitions for promotion in 2021.
With Antrim beating Sligo 3-13 to 3-12 in Corrigan Park, it means that Leitrim s faint mathematically hopes of promotion from Division 4 this year are officially over.
Antrim lead the way in Division 4 North with four points from two games with Louth and Sligo both on two points. Given that even a draw next week between Mickey Harte s team and Tony McEntee s troops will take them to three points and there will be a result either way, Leitrim simply cannot overtake two teams to reach the Division 4 semi-finals.
Louth League defeat still hurts Ladies manager Donnelly
Leitrim manager Hugh Donnelly is full of excitement for the start of this year s Lidl League but the memory of a defeat to Louth still rankles, writes John Connolly
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Defeats linger in the memory more than victories for the driven sports person so it is no surprise to learn that Hugh Donnelly still smarts at the memory of Louth’s victory over Leitrim in the 2020 Lidl Ladies National Football League.
The Tyrone man, pictured inset, is readying Leitrim to face Louth in the opening game of the 2021 campaign next Sunday in Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin in Ballinamore (2pm throw-in) and the memory of that 1-14 to 2-10 loss last year is still fresh in the memory!.
PREVIEW: Leitrim Ladies on a mission - both on Sunday and in the League as a whole
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It seems strange that a team that ended the year with two heavy defeats in the Championship should be so expectant ahead of the restart of the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 4 campaign. But you get the sense that this is no ordinary year for Leitrim, writes John Connolly.
Manager Hugh Donnelly speaks elsewhere in these pages of how his squad returned to group training in great condition, a measure of their desire to put 2020 well and truly behind them. And that all starts next Sunday when the Green & Gold host Louth in Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin Ballinamore at 2pm.
Ladies Football
Louth welcome returning stars as manager vows to take it one game at a time ahead of Leitrim clash
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Louth manager Wayne Freeman will be able to avail of the services of two of the county’s most exciting players when the Lidl NFL campaign gets underway later on Sunday
While it has been known for some time that attacker Laura Collins has re-joined the panel following a spell away from the red jersey, Freeman has confirmed that Ciera Nolan is also fit and ready to resume her inter-county career following a serious knee injury.
Now is the time for Leitrim to dig in and dig out the wins they need
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Leitrim players leave the field after last Sunday s Allianz NFL Division 4 North loss to Sligo in Markievicz Park - they face a crucial battle with Louth next Sunday Picture: Willie Donnellan );
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Your reaction to Sunday s results will depend on whether you are the glass half-full or the glass half-empty type of person. If that s seems somewhat vague, well then it is because there was plenty to like about the performances of the Leitrim hurlers and footballers, certainly just as much as there was in both defeats to disappoint.