We had a separate thread in past years on Div 4.
And it was always interesting and good to get other counties views
I will kick off by saying that Laois and Leitrim would be my favourites to reach DIv 3
However apart from Waterford and London it is very tight. Even saying that both Waterford and London are well able to turn the tables
From a Carlow perspective we have a decent manager who had stayed with this team and built a strong team ethic with a few lads from our good days in 2017 -19 plus lots of young lads.
Our forward line is strongest area for us. Midfield probably weakest
I think we are capable of promotion but it will be a difficult road
Still think Laois and Leitrim will get promoted
But you never know.
We have had a good start against Tipp who were second favourites with bookies and we would fancy a win ourselves against Waterford next week end
But the following 2 games are against Laois and Letrim so that will tell a lot
Anyway I welcome you comments and views on your own county and the others
Ceatharlach abu

Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 713 - 30/01/2024 14:23:27    2523319

It was a good (and dare I say unexpected) win for yourselves against Tipp in Round 1 all right.

From a Wexford point of view, obviously hoping to be in the mix for promotion too. Last year, points dropped in draws against London and Wicklow cost us dear in the end, as we probably really should have won both games.

I saw both home matches in the O'Byrne Cup, and think we set up nicely and try to play good football. Hopefully it'll be enough to get us out of Div. 4 this year. But there's still a long road to go!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 30/01/2024 16:11:39    2523335

the winners of the wexford v laois game on saturday evening will have a great chance of going up

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2891 - 30/01/2024 17:56:05    2523358

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/01/2024 18:18:14    2523363

I wouldn't be very confident of Leitrim's chances at all. I'm more than happy to eat my hat if we do get promoted but I don't believe we have a stronger team than last year and there's doubt over if Keith Beirne will feature at all this year. I will say the pressure is on to get promoted... this is the 3rd year of Andy Moran's tenure and no promotion will likely be the end of the road for him. In my honest opinion he should have got the sack after our loss in New York so we will see what happens. The next 2 games (particularly Wexford) will be telling. I would in no way discount London either but I think we should have enough for them. If we win both games, we'll see what the lie of the land is then with level of performances, injuries etc...

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1024 - 30/01/2024 20:37:30    2523391

Quoting Alex Ferguson here "Attacks win you games but defences win you titles" I think Leitrim have a some serious quality attacking options. The best in division 4 in my opinion and that's even without Keith Beirne being involved for now or the foreseeable future.

But our defence I think could be our downfall in the quest for promotion. The defence is mediocre at best and lacking any top class man markers. We put up a big score against Waterford but were lucky as they only took 1 out of 5 goal chances created. Everyone should beat Waterford and if scoring difference comes into it then this could actually be a big game for a lot of teams to target to win by as much as possible..

We have away games against the two teams that played in division 3 last year which is no easy task. I think Laois will be promoted and the winners of us vs Wexford will be in prime position to go up with them. Carlow will have a say in the race too however I feel. I think you can argue to pick any two out of them 4 to go up.

It's easier to stay in division 3 than get out of division 4 I reckon. It's exciting though and two bad days at the office when things aren't going your way you are gone.

leitrim4sam (Leitrim) - Posts: 671 - 30/01/2024 20:43:27    2523393

Longford v Tipp is a massive game at the weekend, loser probably needs to win their remaining games to stand a chance, a draw probably suits nobody.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 30/01/2024 20:49:46    2523394

Jes if d4 football gets ya excited ,I hope your wife is as easily excited as you are ha ha

Timmy86 (Sligo) - Posts: 304 - 30/01/2024 20:58:33    2523397

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/01/2024 21:02:21    2523399

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13862 - 30/01/2024 21:11:33    2523401

Speaking from a Longford side of the table, we are struggling and really need a win this weekend or I genuinely think Paddy Christie should become under fire.. His second year big name but not backing it, O'Byrne cup once again a false reflection to where we are at. Leitrim seem to have great structures in place and I think they will be up there along with Wexford maybe, I don't think laois are as good as we made them look and will struggle on the road this weekendcould tell a tale. There's always a couple of big performances in London, I'd fear when we play them because of mindset sometimes too..

#Putitup (Longford) - Posts: 46 - 30/01/2024 21:30:57    2523403

Ya Div 4 can throw up some some very strange results, most teams including those out of the hunt can beat any other team on a given day. Even in the absence of a trapdoor where teams have nothing to play for, apart from a result, they can turn teams over. Also we can see teams who were in Div 4 go on a run the following few years and get promotion to Div 2 - Laois, Cavan and Louth come to mind. For countries with thin panels suspension and injury can play a big part. Longford were a county who on paper had great form coming in the league - the curse of the O'Byrne cup struck again on Day 1, interesting to see how they get on. Personally I would see Laois as a strong favourite to advance, the other place could be across another 3/4 sides depending on how things go… stating the obvious but we need a few rounds to see if some counties fall away ….

Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 561 - 30/01/2024 21:36:07    2523404

Would love to Leitrim in the top 2 at the end of the league. I do think we will beat London this weekend and barring a draw Longford or tipp will have 2 lost and either Laois or Wexford will have a game lost. Carlow surprised me with the result against tipp but in Darragh Foley they may have the best forward in the league and they will beat Carlow this weekend. I'd say already the winner of Laois and Wexford will be promoted and it's a race for the next spot. Anyone's really. 8 points could well do it and score difference could play a part.

lugdrum (Leitrim) - Posts: 357 - 30/01/2024 22:03:26    2523408

Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 713 - 30/01/2024 22:36:41    2523410

saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 30/01/2024 23:30:38    2523416

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2891 - 31/01/2024 00:01:29    2523418

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 31/01/2024 00:07:23    2523419

It looks a very tight division this year. Laois leitrim wexford I think will be the strongest, with carlow longford and tipp close behind, with London a potential banana skin for a few, waterford football seems to be in big trouble which is sad to see its not that long ago they won promotion and were unlucky to be demoted but since then its been a steady decline.

Laois vs wexford this weekend with the winner going favorites for promotion, carlow play waterford and leitrim play London and you would expect two good wins for the home teams, longford vs tipp in the last fixture is a huge game with the loser likely out of the hunt for promotion even at this early stage.

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1661 - 31/01/2024 09:24:15    2523429

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 31/01/2024 09:52:27    2523435

Great win for Carlow over Tipp, our lads worked hard to get over the line with 14 men despite plenty of Tipperary pressure in second half. From a Tipperary perspective, there is confidence to be had knowing it's a new squad and they fought their way back in to the game early in the first half albeit through a very soft goal, but fought again in the 2nd half to go back level from being 4 points down. That said, I think it will take Tipp's new squad a year to get to get the experience they need to get out of division 4.

Carlow impressed with a rare win away from home and most will fancy our chances at home to Waterford this Saturday.

Huge game between Wexford and Laois this weekend and if I had to call it I think Wexford might have enough with home advantage to come out with 2 points. If Laois can manage a win they would arguably be on maximum points after their most difficult games out of the way.

Leitrim v London feels like it could be a formality with London keeping it competitive for 40 minutes or so before Leitrim pull away.

Longford v Tipperary has the potential to be highly competitive and Tipperary showed potential at times last Saturday but ultimately I have to give Longford the nod here by 4-6 points.

Would love Carlow to make a drive for promotion but early feeling is Laois to top the group with Longford & Wexford scrapping it out for second place. Leitrim/Carlow possibly have an outside chance if other results go in their favour.

Carlowrising (Carlow) - Posts: 144 - 31/01/2024 11:31:25    2523457