Sunday

Leinster SF Championship

(Matches at 3.30 unless stated)

CARLOW v WEXFORD, Dr Cullen Park - CONTRASTING fortunes for the south-east neighbours with Wexford chalking up a rare win while Carlow were unable to exploit a woeful performance by Wicklow.

Even in the absence of Scott Doran, Wexford's attack looked lively and although they're now missing Mattie Forde with suspension, both Jason Lawlor and John Hegarty still represent a threat.

Carlow's inaccuracies were nearly as astonishing as Wicklow's and one point from the entire second half indicates the problem.

Wexford will be buoyant and assuming a first home win in 14 years hasn't made them complacent, they should be able to take their preliminary campaign a step further down the road to qualification.

LONGFORD v WICKLOW, Longford - MULTIPLE disasters for Longford as their defence got caught for three goals and their attack stuttered to the extent that the whole half-forward line has been replaced.

Wicklow's own forwards were hardly better and manager Moses Coffey was reduced to the unthinkable replacing of Kevin O'Brien before the end.

With Enda Barden now a long-term injury absentee, his brother Paul is named at centre-field - rather distant from the sector where he might do most damage.

In the light of Wicklow's subdued performance and the jolt Longford must have got in New Ross, the home side look a better bet to keep some hope of qualification alive.

Leinster SH Championship

WESTMEATH v DUBLIN, Mullingar - AMONG the indications of last weekend's opening fixtures in this round-robin were the demoralised state of Dublin hurling as they looked second-best against a much-improved Carlow and the likely pre-eminence of Laois in this preliminary section. Westmeath looked a fair bit off Laois' pace but that's not necessarily a comfort to Dublin. Still, the instinct which just about preserved their challenge a week ago should see them as far as a summit meeting with Laois at the end of the month.

Also This Weekend

SATURDAY: NHL Division Two - London v Armagh, Ruislip, 5.30. SUNDAY: NHL Division Two - 3.30 - Roscommon v Down, Athleague; Wicklow v Tyrone. NHL Division Three - 3.30 - Donegal v Louth, Ballybofey; Cavan v Sligo, Mayo v Monaghan, Westport; Leitrim v Longford, Longford, 1.30.

Galway hurler Eugene Cloonan failed in his attempt to have a three-month suspension overturned. Cloonan's appeal against the suspension was heard by the Galway county board on Thursday night following his sending off during a Athenry club game last month.