PREVIEWS: Top two go head to head in Division 4 of Lidl National League

TABLE-toppers Leitrim and Carlow go head to head on Sunday in the standout game in Division 4 of the Lidl National League.

The top two are already safely through to the semi-finals, while the fight below them continues for finishing positions in third and fourth.

Sligo are sitting in third place on 12 points, and qualified for the semi-finals, with Offaly, Wicklow and Longford bunched together on six points and chasing the remaining slot on offer.

Sunday March 8 

Lidl NFL Division 4

Leitrim v Carlow; Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 2pm 

Something’s got to give on Sunday as both teams put their 100 per cent record in 2026 on the line.

Leitrim and Carlow both start the day on 18 points and with six wins from six each.

Based on form, this could end up being a Division 4 final on April 12 and both sides will get a good look at each other here.

Leitrim: M Gallagher; J Maye, C Tyrrell, N Morahan; D Beirne, L Devaney, R McIntyre; N Tighe, A Devaney; A Gilmartin, L Fox, M Guckian (capt.); M Devaney, K Gormley, E Guckian.

Carlow: N Hanley; A Carroll, A Roche, B Nolan; A Webb, N Forde, R Bermingham; R Bailey (capt.), C O’Neill; E Hayden, C Ní Shé, A Hanley; M Townsend, S Doyle, B Nolan.

Kilkenny v Longford; MW Hire Training Centre, Dunmore, 3pm 

Longford have two games remaining as they aim for a semi-final place.

They’ll expect to get the better of Kilkenny on Sunday before a rearranged fixture against Offaly, who are also in the hunt for a top four finish.

The Midlanders will look to finish strong as they aim to reach the knockout phase.

Kilkenny: E Moran; E Stuart, R Doherty, E Dunphy; M Farrell, E Royce Brennan, K Hennessy; R Roche, S Smith; K Ryan, A Ryan, C Moore; M O’Reilly, B Lomax (capt.), R Bass.

Longford: A Cooney; G Kenny, L Keegan, R McGrath; S Burke, E Doris, E Farrell; S Gallagher (capt.), S Hagan; K McKeon, K Crawford, A Brady; E Sheehy, K Burke, A Darcy.

Offaly v Derry; Daingean GAA, 2pm 

Two games to go and Offaly are one of three teams, along with Longford and Wicklow, looking to squeeze into the semi-finals.

A home tie with Derry, who are second from bottom, precedes a refixture with Longford, which would be a shootout for fourth.

Offaly will look to get the job done on Sunday before gearing up for a potential winner takes all clash with Longford.

Offaly: L Dunne; S McGuinness, F Dempsey, N Buckley; M Rouse, R Mealiff, A Grehan; E Maher, R Ennis; F McDermott, C Lynam, M Byrne; S Doyle, M Mann (capt.), E Hand.

Derry: T Cassidy; I Duggan, L Brewester, J Corr; S Duggan, B Donnelly (capt.), A.R. Mulligan; K Hargan, S Heron; C Moore, A Ni Lochlainn, A Donnelly; N Hannon, J Shivers, S Hargan.

Wicklow v Sligo; Bray Emmets (3G), 2.30pm 

Wicklow will hope that Sligo have the handbrake on after reaching the semi-finals.

Wicklow will still hope to make it through but they need to win here and hope that results elsewhere go their way, with Offaly and Longford also in the mix.

Sligo are guaranteed a third place finish and they’ll face Leitrim or Carlow in the semi-finals.

Wicklow: E Griffin; A Magee, O O’Keeffe, E Doyle; M Healy, S Evans, E Doyle; M Renaghan, C Renaghan; L Butler, L Dunne (capt.), A Lalor; H Sheehy, N Caffrey, E Doyle.

Sligo: E Maguire; C King, C Dunne, A Durcan; S Feeney, C Walsh, T Breheny (capt.); S Regan, S Cunney; A McDaniel, R McGoldrick, E Giblin; L Normanly, D McGrath, L Duffy.