Westmeath no match for neighbours Meath

Meath 2-13

Westmeath 1-6

Damien Maher

Westmeath are still searching for their first victory in Division 2A of the National Camogie League following this nine-point defeat by Meath, at St Loman’s GAA grounds, Trim last Saturday.

Meath made all the early running and inspired by impressive midfielder Aoife Minogue, they established a 10-point lead after 22 minutes. It was 2-7 to 0-2 in Meath’s favour at the interval and while Westmeath showed commendable spirit in the second half, the gap was too big to breach.

Amelia Shaw made a major impact when introduced after 27 minutes and her goal reduced the deficit to eight points with four minutes of normal time remaining, but Meath consolidated their position with three late points to emerge comfortable winners.

OMINOUS

Meath led after a minute through Minogue’s opening point and from an early stage it was clear she would have a major influence. Westmeath equalised through Aisling McLoughlin in the second minute, but Meath added an unanswered 2-4 to take complete control of this tie.

Grace Coleman took a pass from Minogue to fire over the first score of this blistering spell. Westmeath had a goal chance on 10 minutes, but Aoife Boyle was denied by ‘keeper Tara Murphy, following good work by Megan Dowdall and Shelia McGrath.

Minogue slotted over a free from midfield and a stray McGrath hand-pass let the home side off the hook. Westmeath also failed to convert a scoring chance when Aoife O’Malley was fouled, while Meath pushed further clear through Coleman’s free (after Sophia Payne was fouled perilously close to the square).

Minogue’s long-range shot was fumbled by Anna Weir and a Meath goal resulted after 20 minutes before a pointed free by Coleman put seven points between the sides. Minogue powered through the centre in ominous fashion and struck home Meath’s second goal after 22 minutes, making it 2-5 to 0-1.

Una Leonard’s point narrowed the gap, but Meath were in no mood to relinquish their tight grip on proceedings. Minogue converted a 60-metre free and Coleman slotted over from play, leaving 11 points between the teams at half-time.

COMPETITIVE

Westmeath were determined to acquit themselves better in the second half and Dowdall earned a penalty following her high fetch after six minutes. Amelia Shaw’s strike flashed high and over the crossbar, however, before Coleman’s free cancelled it out. Coleman then pointed from play, putting Meath 12 clear.

Westmeath’s approach play was laboured at times, as illustrated when Maria Kelly ran into a challenge from Minogue, losing an opportunity to split the home defence. Two pointed frees from Shaw offered some consolation, but Meath responded as Niamh Daly set up Olivia O’Halloran for a point.

Westmeath were certainly more competitive and a long delivery from a Muireann Scally free led to a goal for Shaw, who scrambled the ball home from close-range. Ava Balfe and Shannon Dalton were both competing for the loose ball in the Meath square.

Meath substitute Abbye Donnelly replied with a point, before Shaw’s free made it 2-11 to 1-6; a Coleman free added to the home side’s tally. Meath fittingly had the final say on what was a dominant day at the office: Niamh Daly fired over from an acute angle to complete a resounding victory.

Westmeath will certainly be disappointed with this performance even allowing for the fact that they started a much weaker side than that which finished the game. They will be keen to bounce back from this as they bid for a first victory in a competitive division. They now sit second from bottom on the table, one place ahead of Laois.

SCORERS – Meath: A Minogue 2-3 (0-2f), G Coleman 0-7 (4f), O O’Halloran, A Donnelly and N Daly 0-1 each. Westmeath: A Shaw 1-4 (0-3f; 0-1 pen.), U Leonard and A McLoughlin 0-1 each.

MEATH – Tara Murphy; Tracy King, Claire Coffey, Rachel O’Neill; Ellen Burke, Maeve Clince, Leah Devine; Cliodhna O’Riordan, Aoife Minogue; Aoibhin Lally, Grace Coleman, Olivia O’Halloran; Sophia Payne, Nadine Doyle, Emma Hanafin, Subs: Niamh Daly for Doyle (h-t), Laura O’Neill for Devine (46), Abbye Donnelly for Hanafin (54), Nora Jean Linehan for Lally (58), Susan Kealy for O’Riordan (60+2).

WESTMEATH – Anna Weir; Megan Ennis, Jade McKeogh, Dearbhail McLoughlin; Emily McCabe, Muireann Scally, Karen Gaffney; Aoife O’Malley, Aoife Doherty; Una Leonard, Megan Dowdall, Sheila McGrath; Shannon Dalton, Aoife Boyle, Aisling McLoughlin. Subs: Maria Kelly for Leonard (27), Amelia Shaw for McLoughlin (27), Julie McLoughlin for Ennis (27), Laura Doherty for Gaffney (h-t), Ava Balfe for Boyle (h-t), Orlaith Cavern for Scally (inj., 60+2).

REF – Brian Kearney (Kildare).

Examiner’s Eye on the game

Player of The Match

Aoife Minogue (Meath): Meath’s impressive midfielder Aoife Minogue was outstanding and her strength, athleticism and skill stood out.

Score of the match

Aoife Minogue’s goal that made it 2-5 to 0-1 after 21 minutes – the midfielder powering through the centre and finishing low to the net, past Anna Weir, with a clinical strike.

Turning point

Westmeath had a goal chance after 10 minutes, but Aoife Boyle’s effort was saved by the opposing goalie, Tara Murphy, after Megan Dowdall and Sheila McGrath carved an opening.

Match officials

In general, a good job by Kildare referee Brian Kearney, who was strict on penalising throws. Megan Dowdall was correctly awarded a penalty when advantage failed to materialise. Meath’s Sophia Payne was not the required distance back when Aoife O’Malley took a line ball in the 44th minute. Earlier Payne had claims for a penalty, but a free was awarded. Claims for a Meath free when Cliodhna O’Riordan was challenged late on fell on deaf ears. Muireann Scally could have been afforded a stoppage for her late injury, but play continued for a time when she was grounded.

Next up

The Lake County will face Laois next Saturday at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar in a game they must win.