This fixture between the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland champions should be one to savour.
Leitrim, 2024 Intermediate title winners face Fermanagh, who claimed junior glory at Croke Park on August third last.
Now, all eyes are on a promotion push for two teams who will be very much in the hunt.
Fermanagh and Leitrim were the top two sides in the group phase of Division 4 last year, finishing first and second respectively in the standings. However, they both missed out on promotion after losing at the semi-final stage.
When they met in the 2024 Lidl NFL, Fermanagh ran out 1-9 to 0-9 winners. However, Leitrim have home advantage this time.
Leitrim's All-Ireland winning captain Michelle Guckian is listed among the replacements for this fixture at her home club. Whereas, long-serving defender Charlene Tyrell has committed to another season of inter-county fare.
Leitrim: M Monaghan; E Quigley, C Tyrell, C Owens; S Reynolds, J Maye, R McIntyre; N Tighe, C Dolan; L O’Dowd, A Clancy, D Beirne; S Ward, S Quinn, A Gilmartin.
Fermanagh: M Maguire; E Murphy, C Clarke, S Martin; S McQuade (c), C Murphy, C Bogue; R O’Reilly, M McGloin; C McGarrigle, J Doonan, S.J. Jones; N McManus, B Bogue, E Smyth.
Leitrim v Fermanagh; Kiltubrid GAA, Sunday January 19. Throw-in: 2pm
Longford’s Lidl NFL form was mixed in Division 4 last year.
The Midlanders won two, lost three and drew two of their seven outings. They were well off the pace in the promotion race.
Derry, for their part, managed to secure a victory against Kilkenny, but the Oak Leafers lost their other six games.
Glennon Brothers Pearse Park is the venue for a fixture that pits Longford, who finished sixth in the group standings last year against Derry, who concluded their League season second from bottom.
Longford: A Cooney; C McCormack, E Bleakley, L Keegan; E Duggan, E O’Brien (c), A Brady; S Gallagher, S Hagan; E O’Reilly, K Crawford, K McKeon; K Burke, N Brady, E Sheehy.
Derry: T Cassidy; T Donnelly, G Brewster, J Corr; E Dillon, S Hargan, C Dillon; A Crozier (c), O McEvoy; A Martin, L Casey, N Hannon; A Ni Lochlainn, J Slevin, K Deery.
