NHL Preview: Division 3B looks set to be tight affair

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3B

Fermanagh v Leitrim

Sunday, Brewster Park, 2pm

THE Two games in Division 3B last weekend produced a draw and a one-point win – and we can expect that trend to continue

Fermanagh really should have made it two wins in the bottom tier, but they threw away a four-point lead late on away to Cavan.

The Ulster neighbours have had some real battles over the last couple of seasons, and this was one of the most entertaining of the lot as the draw produced a combined 3-35.

The Erne county had the upper hand for 65 minutes of the contest. A Barney McAuley penalty gave them a 1-9 to 0-8 half-time lead, and Mark Slevin’s early second-half goal pushed them even further ahead.

The loss of JP McGarry to a second yellow card gave Cavan a route back into the game though and although a couple of Sean Corrigan frees had appeared to kill off that threat, the Breffni side finished strongly to earn a share of the spoils.

Leitrim likewise were hit with a late sting in the tail as they went down by two points to Louth on home soil. The sides were level late into additional time, but Leitrim were the architects of their own downfall.

The Connacht side had won a free – and a chance at a winner – but Paul Lenihan lost his discipline and was red-carded after it was awarded.

The free was cancelled and the ball thrown in instead and, with a one-man advantage, Louth hit two points in the final minute to win the game.

Verdict: Fermanagh

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3B

LOUTH V CAVAN

Sunday, Darver, 2pm

BRIAN Fitzgerald was the hero for Cavan last week as he hit a superb 13 points, including the last four of the game, to earn a draw with Fermanagh. It ensures a decent start for the Breffni county, who are now in their fourth season of National Hurling League action following their return from a period of absence.

Ollie Bellew’s side have already had one decent performance on the road this year, a challenge match win over Tyrone, and he will hope for more away day joy in Darver.

It’s not an easy place to go, though. Paul McCormack is enjoying a good start to his intercounty managerial career and they were very unfortunate to be relegated last season.

Their five defeats included a one-point loss to Armagh, a two-point defeat by Donegal and five-point losses against Longford and Tyrone. Anyone at the latter of those would know that they were better than the Red Hands for long stretches of the contest. They did respond by winning the Lory Meagher Cup and they should have too much for an improving Cavan.

Verdict: Louth