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Agree with previous posts , the problem we seem to have is retaining players and who's to know how many of the younger lads that have come on the panel will decide to go travelling and step away next year or year after, it's been happening for years and I'm not blaming players as they have a life outside football to lead but until we can retain a core panel for at least 4 ot 5 years we'll be constantly in the cycle we're in , rebuilding and whenever we do get promoted straight back down because a raft of lads step away at the one time just like last year. Take each game as it comes starting in London Sunday week and if we can get out full team out we are at least capable of being in the mix

JimmyNail (Leitrim) - Posts: 322 - 03/02/2026 15:34:46    2654809

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Replying To Sligoman1234:  "Sligo have the same points as Leitrim. Yet yer saying yer up for promotion and we are up for relegation. Ya need to take things in perspective, beating the worst ranked team from 2025 league is hardly hang up the bunting territory. I wouldn't even think about promotion until ya get close to round 5. Each game as it comes. London is massive for Leitrim and tbh do Leitrim really want to be promoted again with such a limited panel at present. I think they would be best served with a rebuilding period and if finished top 3/4 would be a good start from the disaster of 2025."
Sligo have enough of their own issues to sort thanks so much for agreeing. They struggled to put away a woefully poor Fermanagh team on Sunday last please and you come on here pretending to know about Leitrim football please. We don't have any "look at me please thanks so much" players anymore thank you. They seemed to have moved on yet again to coaching other teams thanks very much. But we are all the better for it. Thank you.

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 425 - 03/02/2026 19:49:14    2654862

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Replying To JimmyNail:  "Agree with previous posts , the problem we seem to have is retaining players and who's to know how many of the younger lads that have come on the panel will decide to go travelling and step away next year or year after, it's been happening for years and I'm not blaming players as they have a life outside football to lead but until we can retain a core panel for at least 4 ot 5 years we'll be constantly in the cycle we're in , rebuilding and whenever we do get promoted straight back down because a raft of lads step away at the one time just like last year. Take each game as it comes starting in London Sunday week and if we can get out full team out we are at least capable of being in the mix"
I think ambition might have been a problem. If a team's ambition is to get promoted from division 4. Do they have the hunger or ambition to play in Div3. From hearing what Poacher has had to say, he wants to build a squad of players who want to be in the top 50% of teams in the country I.e. play in division 2.
While this might not seem realistic at the minute. At least promotion isn't the end of the team's ambition but our mindset when promoted will be to compete in division three.
I believe this is part of the reason why why have failed to hold onto players and given very poor showing in Division 3.
I am old enough to remember when we were relegated to Division 4 in the 90s and a lot of the players at time didn't have the appetite to play at division 4 level. We have been witnessing a generation of players who didn't have the appetite to play above Division 4.
I believe that Poacher is trying to change that mindset.

Backheel (Leitrim) - Posts: 231 - 03/02/2026 19:53:48    2654863

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A few feathers ruffled I see and thankfully a few heads that can see some logic in what I was saying. Promotion is great when it happens but when ya end up getting walloped back down the following year it's not a sign of progress. The same posters that are sledging Sligo and saying they're in bother and supposedly heading for relegation were swiping at the Rossies for being a team that get promoted then relegated the following year, which isn't always the case for Ros. Leitrim were not fit for Division 3 last year and I would say that in hindsight would have sooner they weren't promoted in 2024 which was with the help of a huge refereeing decision against Wexford if I'm not mistaken. A huge chunk of that starting team who gained promotion didn't hang around for the test of Div 3. And look how Wexford have gone since, probably one win away from being safe in Div 3. For Leitrim to be considered to have made real progress they need to hold their own in Div 3 for a few years, but you need the right panel to do that. And by the way I'd say the same for Sligo if they were in Div 2, which I'm not expecting to happen after this campaign. Not much point going up to get slapped back down again.

And as for the smart comment thanks very much about Sligo struggling to beat Fermanagh, it was won by 7 points, need I remind the same poster how the game between Leitrim and Fermanagh went last year? At the rate Fermanagh are going if they don't turn things around and pretty soon there's a strong likelihood you'll be playing them next year.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 638 - 03/02/2026 22:16:07    2654881

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Replying To Sligoman1234:  "Sligo have the same points as Leitrim. Yet yer saying yer up for promotion and we are up for relegation. Ya need to take things in perspective, beating the worst ranked team from 2025 league is hardly hang up the bunting territory. I wouldn't even think about promotion until ya get close to round 5. Each game as it comes. London is massive for Leitrim and tbh do Leitrim really want to be promoted again with such a limited panel at present. I think they would be best served with a rebuilding period and if finished top 3/4 would be a good start from the disaster of 2025."
There's a difference between having 2pts in div 4 and having 2pts in div 3 at this stage, I can't simplify why for you. Who is hanging up the bunting? Maybe you've seen some in areas up near your part of the world but it isn't up at the other end. Why do you think Leitrim panel is limited more so than say ...Sligo?

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 254 - 04/02/2026 01:00:56    2654894

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Replying To Sligoman1234:  "A few feathers ruffled I see and thankfully a few heads that can see some logic in what I was saying. Promotion is great when it happens but when ya end up getting walloped back down the following year it's not a sign of progress. The same posters that are sledging Sligo and saying they're in bother and supposedly heading for relegation were swiping at the Rossies for being a team that get promoted then relegated the following year, which isn't always the case for Ros. Leitrim were not fit for Division 3 last year and I would say that in hindsight would have sooner they weren't promoted in 2024 which was with the help of a huge refereeing decision against Wexford if I'm not mistaken. A huge chunk of that starting team who gained promotion didn't hang around for the test of Div 3. And look how Wexford have gone since, probably one win away from being safe in Div 3. For Leitrim to be considered to have made real progress they need to hold their own in Div 3 for a few years, but you need the right panel to do that. And by the way I'd say the same for Sligo if they were in Div 2, which I'm not expecting to happen after this campaign. Not much point going up to get slapped back down again.

And as for the smart comment thanks very much about Sligo struggling to beat Fermanagh, it was won by 7 points, need I remind the same poster how the game between Leitrim and Fermanagh went last year? At the rate Fermanagh are going if they don't turn things around and pretty soon there's a strong likelihood you'll be playing them next year."
Is there nothing going on over on the Sligo thread these days?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1751 - 04/02/2026 08:33:07    2654905

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Replying To leitrimabu1:  "He's Michael Walsh midfield Ballybode/St Enda's who has been training with Leitrimbut due to thigh strain has been in recovery. Mother comes from Annaduff & might be in contention for London or home game against Antrim."
I was checking a few of Ballybodens team sheets over the last few years. Is it Mark or Michael? Theres a Mark Walsh on their panel who never seems to get played.

southleitrim_mafia (Leitrim) - Posts: 167 - 04/02/2026 08:37:26    2654906

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Replying To alalalalalum:  "There's a difference between having 2pts in div 4 and having 2pts in div 3 at this stage, I can't simplify why for you. Who is hanging up the bunting? Maybe you've seen some in areas up near your part of the world but it isn't up at the other end. Why do you think Leitrim panel is limited more so than say ...Sligo?"
Surely you don't need me to list how many Leitrim players have left the panel from 2024 to now. Not being able to field last year is evidence that there is a limited group to pick from.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 638 - 04/02/2026 09:29:37    2654909

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Replying To Sligoman1234:  "A few feathers ruffled I see and thankfully a few heads that can see some logic in what I was saying. Promotion is great when it happens but when ya end up getting walloped back down the following year it's not a sign of progress. The same posters that are sledging Sligo and saying they're in bother and supposedly heading for relegation were swiping at the Rossies for being a team that get promoted then relegated the following year, which isn't always the case for Ros. Leitrim were not fit for Division 3 last year and I would say that in hindsight would have sooner they weren't promoted in 2024 which was with the help of a huge refereeing decision against Wexford if I'm not mistaken. A huge chunk of that starting team who gained promotion didn't hang around for the test of Div 3. And look how Wexford have gone since, probably one win away from being safe in Div 3. For Leitrim to be considered to have made real progress they need to hold their own in Div 3 for a few years, but you need the right panel to do that. And by the way I'd say the same for Sligo if they were in Div 2, which I'm not expecting to happen after this campaign. Not much point going up to get slapped back down again.

And as for the smart comment thanks very much about Sligo struggling to beat Fermanagh, it was won by 7 points, need I remind the same poster how the game between Leitrim and Fermanagh went last year? At the rate Fermanagh are going if they don't turn things around and pretty soon there's a strong likelihood you'll be playing them next year."
Leitrim did not play Fermanagh last year please as the game did not go ahead so what game are you referring to thanks so much?? That is a very silly thing to say when there was no game to be talked about. Check your facts thanks so much.

Yes Sligo did beat a woefully poor Fermanagh outfit and pulled away in the last few minutes due to being fitter probably- certainly are no world beaters thank you. Truth be told the game was like watching paint dry on a wet day- so boring and predictable thank you for agreeing with this assessment please.

We did not get promoted on the back of a refereeing decision thanks so much- you see the league is played over seven rounds so the top two get promoted based on this. So you are speaking about one game, what about the other six thanks so much. Your comments are silly and without foundation thank you.

So in future, we would all greatly appreciate if you could do your homework before you post on the forum and stop creating silly facts please. It is tiresome and draining. As much as we love getting "advice and guidance" from our neighbours who are at about the same level as us it can get boring thank you. Ye are two points in division three, if someone from the big two in Connacht comes here to advise us we would listne maybe thank you, but not someone from another lost cause like Sligo thank you so much for all.

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 425 - 04/02/2026 10:01:31    2654913

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Replying To southleitrim_mafia:  "I was checking a few of Ballybodens team sheets over the last few years. Is it Mark or Michael? Theres a Mark Walsh on their panel who never seems to get played."
Thank you for that detective work.. I was going to have a quick look myself. I hope it's the one who was getting his place !
It's the first I head of this gentlemen. We'll take all we can get - anyone joining with a bit of calibre as opposed to leaving is welcome news

Mugatay (Leitrim) - Posts: 177 - 04/02/2026 10:06:48    2654914

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Replying To Sligoman1234:  "Surely you don't need me to list how many Leitrim players have left the panel from 2024 to now. Not being able to field last year is evidence that there is a limited group to pick from."
But sure you are as well name them because you have all the knowledge of the thing it seems.

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 254 - 04/02/2026 11:28:28    2654934

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Replying To leitrimabu1:  "He's Michael Walsh midfield Ballybode/St Enda's who has been training with Leitrimbut due to thigh strain has been in recovery. Mother comes from Annaduff & might be in contention for London or home game against Antrim."
Walsh is also set to join back up with Annaduff this year . Dingle done the n4 men some favour in the all Ireland semi . Had ballyboden made the final and he featured he would not have been eligible to make transfer due to gaa timescales . He played with Annaduff until about u16 before moving to Dublin but always planned to come back . Annaduff will surely have there noses up for promotion back to senior with his addition , unlikely he features until championship maybe so ?

Avensis2012 (Leitrim) - Posts: 6 - 04/02/2026 11:29:17    2654935

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Replying To Square_B:  "Is there nothing going on over on the Sligo thread these days?"
Well seeming as your always going on about Sligo & Mayo he may as well be on here sure...

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 774 - 04/02/2026 13:30:47    2654970

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Replying To Backheel:  "I think ambition might have been a problem. If a team's ambition is to get promoted from division 4. Do they have the hunger or ambition to play in Div3. From hearing what Poacher has had to say, he wants to build a squad of players who want to be in the top 50% of teams in the country I.e. play in division 2.
While this might not seem realistic at the minute. At least promotion isn't the end of the team's ambition but our mindset when promoted will be to compete in division three.
I believe this is part of the reason why why have failed to hold onto players and given very poor showing in Division 3.
I am old enough to remember when we were relegated to Division 4 in the 90s and a lot of the players at time didn't have the appetite to play at division 4 level. We have been witnessing a generation of players who didn't have the appetite to play above Division 4.
I believe that Poacher is trying to change that mindset."
Not sure I agree about lack of ambition among curry crop. They have bought into Poacher big time & are committed about chasing promotion. Consistency is the key not good enough to perform well in one match and then Percy worse in next one. That makes Waterford victory so import & if we beat London We're back in business.

leitrimabu1 (Leitrim) - Posts: 160 - 04/02/2026 16:08:13    2655000

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Replying To Mugatay:  "Thank you for that detective work.. I was going to have a quick look myself. I hope it's the one who was getting his place !
It's the first I head of this gentlemen. We'll take all we can get - anyone joining with a bit of calibre as opposed to leaving is welcome news"
It's Mark not Michael Walsh. Apologies. Seems he is still some weeks away from playing which is a pity. We could do with a 6ft 5 midfielder!

leitrimabu1 (Leitrim) - Posts: 160 - 04/02/2026 16:11:14    2655002

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Is anyone worried about Leitrim's little hurlers? They're stuck at the bottom of Division 4, which is actually the fifth division of hurling. This a Leitrim GAA thread, not just a football thread. I love to see Leitrim do well in hurling, but it seems that I am the only one on here that ever wishes them good luck. Indeed, the only one who ever seems to metnion them at all.

And don't tell me that it is because "Leitrim is a footballing county." That might work for the likes of Galway, Dublin, most northern teams, and Kerry. But not for the likes of Leitrim, Longford, and Laois.

Get out and support yer hurlers!

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2434 - 04/02/2026 16:53:06    2655011

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