Cahill remains positive despite defeat to Derry

Damien Maher

Westmeath manager Diarmuid Cahill - while disappointed to lose last Saturday's game against Derry - was keen to accentuate the positive and felt Westmeath have the potential to improve as the league progresses.

His charges will face Meath on Saturday in round three (Trim, 2pm).

Westmeath managed just two scores (and three shots at goal) in the entire second half last weekend and they struggled to cope against a well organised Derry defence.

“It's disappointing. I know Derry played the sweeper; we played into the sweeper, which is a little disappointing because in the first half we played away from it. They’re just things we need to focus on and be aware of: the league is a learning curve. I’m letting girls use their own initiative as well, while we regroup during the week and point out the things we need to improve on,” observed Cahill.

“There’s a small bit of disappointment with the result, but the league is to grow the panel and to try out a few things. We’re concentrating mainly on our endurance, ensuring that our fitness is up to standard. Our targets are to improve on this all the time and maintain our Division Two status.

“We’re trying out new things: Sheila McGrath at centre back, Muireann Scally wing back and Aoife Doherty we put in full forward for a while. All of these things we want to try and the best place to do that is in the league.

“I’ll take the positives from the game; I try to think I’m not a negative person. We’ll look at those positives and try and see where are weaknesses are and focus on improving those in training and games. We’re building for the championship and building on these league matches.”

The Westmeath squad was hit with a stomach bug following the trip to Kerry the previous week and this was a factor, with the absence of Amelia Shaw (who missed the entire game) and Denise McGrath (who lasted 23 minutes) major stumbling blocks.

“Amelia is out with a tummy bug: I know a couple of other people from my own area who have it; it’s a nasty little one. But that’s where other girls come in and they get their opportunity to drive on and try and show. When Amelia is back, she will be pushing for her place again. There’s a large panel at the moment, 40 girls there, so it’s about trying to see as many as we can over the next three matches,” remarked Cahill.

Meath will be stubborn opposition in round three next Saturday.

“It’s local rivalry, or so I’m told,” quipped Cahill.

“But again, league is league. We are here to retain our status and try and grow as a panel, week in, week out.”

Kerry defeated Meath on Saturday to go second in the division, underlining just how competitive it is.

“Kerry are a fine team; it was a game of two halves when we met them and if there was another couple of minutes, either of us could have got the win. A fair result was a draw and every game is there to learn from, improve and progress into championship,” added Cahill.