Fermanagh and Leitrim seal their semi spots

FERMANAGH and Leitrim are through to the 2024 Lidl National League Division 4 semi-finals following yesterday’s group fixtures. Table-toppers Fermanagh guaranteed progress with victory over Limerick at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, in what was a repeat of the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland junior championship semi-final.

And in another crucial clash, Leitrim got the better of Carlow to ensure they’ll be playing in the semi-finals on Sunday March 24. Longford’s hopes of a semi-final place were put on ice after a determined Wicklow side nabbed their second win of the season at Pearse Park, while Derry recorded their first points of the campaign, as they got the better of bottom-placed Kilkenny at St Martin’s GAC, Desertmartin. In the SETU Campus, Leitrim booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-15 to 1-9 win over Carlow. It was the home side who led by 0-8 to 1-4 at the break thanks to a late point from Cliodhna Ní Shé, but Leitrim upped the ante in the second half to ensure victory. Leah Fox netted Leitrim’s opening goal in the first half while Laura O’Dowd scored her side’s second goal midway through the second half. In Mick Neville Park, Fermanagh cemented their position at the top of the table as they defeated Limerick. Only two points separated the sides at the break (0-6 to 0-4) but Fermanagh did all the scoring in the second half to claim all three points. Eimear Smyth hit seven points for Fermanagh with Blathín Bogue shooting the other two as they sailed into the semifinals with a game to spare on a 0-9 to 0-4 scoreline. In St Martin’s, Derry overcame Kilkenny by 316 to 1-4. Emma Doherty shone for the home side hitting 1-8, while Dara McKeever and Erin Doherty also found the net. Finally, in Pearse Park, Sinéad McGettigan hit 0-8 for Wicklow as they recorded a 1-13 to 2-8 win over home side Longford.