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Today - Leinster SHC

Preliminary Round-Robin

Westmeath v Carlow, Mullingar, 7.0

This must be a unique championship fixture in that neither side can progress any further. It is also doubling up as a National League Division Two fixture to decide who plays Meath for divisional honours next weekend.

Judged on the basis of their championship displays to date, Carlow have the upper hand. They nearly defeated Dublin in the opening round and although comfortably seen off by Laois last week, gave the pool favourites a testing time. This included the eclipse of their centrefield, a spirited and effective marking job on Niall Rigney by Johnny Nevin and some fairly robust play.

Allowing for the fact that Dublin were a lot more energetic when facing down Westmeath than when stumbling badly against Carlow, it is the latter who have emerged from the round robin matches against the two stronger counties with more credit. They can underline as much this evening.