Big weekend ahead for ladies GAA
Yet another high point in Westmeath ladies football will be reached on Bank Holiday Monday next, May 5, when the county’s minor ladies take on Dublin in Leinster Ladies GAA’s showpiece minor football final (Clane, 3.30pm).
Years of sterling work at underage level in Westmeath has paved the way for this moment, from U14 through U16.
Last year’s U16 manager, Tony Robinson, led Westmeath to Leinster and All-Ireland 'C’ glory, and in 2014, the St Loman’s clubman took over the minors.
“They’re a reasonable team,” Tony said of Westmeath’s opponents, Dublin. “They like scoring goals, and that was a case in a lot of their games.
“It’s a question of counteracting that by defending well. We didn’t defend against them in March, and they punished us.”
Westmeath go into the Dublin game with a relatively clean bill of health, although doubts remain over the fitness of Michelle King (Moate), who suffered a sprain in training last week. The only other concern for Westmeath is a fixture pile-up next weekend; some of the girls involved at minor level will be out for Westmeath in the Leinster U16 shield final on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ballycomoyle’s Caoimhe McCrossan – a key attacker for the minor ladies – is expected to be involved in Westmeath’s National Camogie League Division 3 decider against Dublin on Sunday afternoon.
“We don’t need fixtures piling up against us, and it’s not fair on a small county like Westmeath,” Robinson said, with particular reference to the U16 final fixed for Saturday.
The Leinster minor campaign began with a trip to Kildangan on February 15, with second half goals from Nicola Judge and Bridgie Heslin (2) helping the Lake County to an impressive 4-10 to 1-9 win.
The hiccup against Dublin (5-9 to 2-7) followed, but the Maroons were as ruthless against neighbours Offaly in the third round robin game (March 8) as they were against the Lilywhites.
The Dubs went through top of Group 1, and Westmeath qualified for a semi-final against Wexford, which took place on April 12.
Judge (2-2), Heslin (0-4) and McCrossan led the way scoring-wise, as the girls cruised to an impressive 2-10 to 0-7 victory.
With the senior ladies a game away from potentially reaching Division 1 of the National Football League, the county’s fortunes at minor level demonstrate the depth of ability in Westmeath as far as ladies football is concerned. Win or lose on Monday, it bodes well for the future.
Support for underage ladies GAA is key, and the minor boss urges people to travel to Clane on Bank Holiday Monday to back their title bid.
He also thanked parents, the ladies’ county board and the Westmeath Football Supporters Group for supporting the girls en route to the Leinster 'A’ final.
Meanwhile, this weekend is also an important one for camogie in Westmeath, with Ger Jackson’s troops aiming to get out of Division 3 of the National Camogie League by overcoming favourites Dublin (Edenderry, Sunday, 2.30pm).
The leadership of top scorers Denise McGrath and Dinah Loughlin will be called upon, as the Lake County look to right the wrong of the 1-7 to 0-1 group stage defeat to the Dubs earlier in the campaign.