More than a few pundits, more so from south of the border, have made suggestion that Carlow will be the biggest loser after Croke park outlined changes to the league schedule.
The intervention of the ‘beast from the east’ and the enforced abandonment of last week-end’s fixture programme forced Croke Park to act, and as consequence the division four final was put back for a week, to April 7th/8th and change enforced on schedule.
Laois and Carlow will be in action this weekend as the only fixtures in division four which leaves both Antrim and Leitrim idle.
Lenny Harbinson’s men who were to travel to Laois last Sunday will now travel to Portlaoise for that one on Easter weekend March31st/April 1st and such change has seen more than a few ‘Observers’ coming out claiming that the Saffron’s have gained advantage.
It is more than obvious that Laois (8pts), Carlow (8pts), and Antrim (7pts), are in a three horse race for promotion.
It has been stated that it has long been a custom that the final round games in the league will throw in at the same time and ensure no advantage is gained in terms of promotion or relegation.
Antrim will meet up with Laois after the other teams in the division will have completed their respective programmes and it has been claimed that the fate of Carlow, who have not claimed promotion from the basement level since way back in 1985 could be jeopardised.
Despite the speculations on the situation Carlow boss Turlough O’Brien would not be drawn on suggestions as made in some sections of the Southern based, media saying, ‘this was a difficult situation to solve, but I am more than glad we do have a game on this week-end and the visit of Wicklow is what we are looking forward to at present, and we will review the situation after that’.
‘If we don’t beat Wicklow we will not have cause to contemplate further, we have been taking it one game at a time and that is how we will continue’.
