Westmeath dominate second half to see off Laois

Very National Camogie League Division 2A

Westmeath 1-13

Laois 1-5

Damien Maher

A superior Westmeath side triumphed over Laois in Division 2A of the National Camogie League, at Joristown Park, Raharney last Saturday to claim a crucial victory.

Westmeath dominated the second half and were emphatic winners in the end, with a goal from Aoife Doherty proving one of the key moments. Having tasted defeats against Derry and Meath in their two previous outings, this was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for Diarmuid Cahill’s young side, who preserved their place in Division 2A.

Defeat means Laois have been relegated.

After a lot of rain on St Patrick’s Day, the Westmeath club had the pitch in fine condition for this game, which was originally scheduled for March 11, but postponed due to inclement weather.

Westmeath, who played with the aid of a useful breeze in the first half, were leading by 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval. They started positively and a point from Megan Dowdall in the second minute gave them the lead.

Laois ‘keeper, Katie Gaughan had to be alert to keep out Krista Tamosiunaite’s effort but the resulting ‘45’ was slotted over by Amelia Shaw. When the subsequent puck-out went straight to Dowdall, she extended Westmeath’s lead with another accurate strike.

Laois got off the mark after seven minutes when Aimee Collier converted a free. Grainne Delanty notched a point from play five minutes later to keep the visitors well in touch, but a fine point from the wing by Denise McGrath cancelled that score.

It was the first of three unanswered scores in a decent spell for the home side: Aoife Doherty fired over and Dowdall shot another nice point. McGrath was also denied a score during this period when her effort was blocked.

A superb point by Laois’ Alice Walsh in the 27th minute was one of the highlights – the midfielder joining the end of a flowing move involving Clodagh Tynan and Aimee Collier before firing over on the run. Dowdall missed a late chance for the home side after one of many fine catches.

The O’Moore girls seemed to be in a good position when trailing by just three points at half-time, having played against a lively breeze in the first half. However, they struggled to match the home side after the interval and waited until the 53rd minute for their fourth point – a converted free by the impressive Aimee Collier.

DEFINING

Westmeath upped their work rate considerably and brought renewed vigour in the second half as Amelia Shaw converted a free: she dropped an earlier one short and substitute Meadbh Scally had her effort blocked.

The breeze was proving a factor and despite being dominant, Westmeath shot a number of wides in the early stages. Shaw found the target from play after 42 minutes and Meadbh Scally also shot over to make it 0-9 to 0-3.

Westmeath were on top and a brace of Shaw points (one from a free) made it five unanswered scores as they opened up a commanding lead of 0-11 to 0-3. Collier’s free was Laois’ only reply in this defining period.

Substitute Ava Balfe replied with a point after Gaughan’s save prevented Meadbh Scally from finding the net in the 55th minute.

The game was ultimately decided when Westmeath broke through for a goal after 57 minutes: Meadbh Scally prodded the ball through for Aoife Doherty, whose well-timed run left her free to tap the ball to the net from close-range.

At that stage the gap was 11 points (1-12 to 0-4) and Laois were playing for pride. They finished the game in determined fashion and put the Westmeath defence under serious pressure, winning a penalty in the 60th minute when Amy Flanagan was adjudged to have been fouled in the square, after Gráinne Delaney’s shot was superbly saved by the Westmeath ‘keeper, Fiona Keating. Aimee Collier held her composure to strike the ball high to the net from the penalty, despite a partial save from Keating.

Andrea Scully followed up with a point from play. But a youthful Laois side (seven of which played minor camogie the following day) struggled to match the home side’s intensity during the second half and that lengthy scoring lull was a major factor as they suffered another setback in this competitive division.

Having lost to Cavan, Meath, Derry and Westmeath Laois were relegated.

Westmeath had the final say in this match when Shaw converted a free deep in added time, after Dowdall did the spade work on the wing before delivering an angled ball to McGrath who was fouled.

SCORERS: Westmeath: Amelia Shaw 0-6 (3 frees; 1 ‘45’), Aoife Doherty 1-1, Megan Dowdall 0-3, Denise McGrath, Meadbh Scally and Ava Balfe 0-1 each. Laois: Aimee Collier 1-2 (1-0 pen., 0-2 frees), Alice Walsh, Gráinne Delaney and Andrea Scully 0-1 each.

WESTMEATH: Fiona Keating; Sandra McGrath, Julie McLoughlin, Dearbhail McLoughlin; Laura Doherty, Jade McKeogh, Muireann Scally; Aoife O’Malley, Aoife Doherty; Megan Dowdall, Amelia Shaw, Caoimhe McCrossan; Krista Tamosiunaite, Denise McGrath, Elaine Finn. Subs: Meadbh Scally for Tamosiunaite (h-t), Ava Balfe for Finn (38), Shannon Dalton for McCrossan (inj., 49).

LAOIS: Katie Gaughan; Aislin McAuley, Fiona Scully, Emily Carroll; Luisne Delaney, Clodagh Tynan, Karla Whelan; Alice Walsh, Leah Daly; Aimee Collier, Gráinne Delaney, Aiva Coss; Andrea Scully; Gráinne O’Reilly, Amy Flanagan, Andrea Scully. Subs: Eimear Hassett for Coss (42), Roisín Dowling for Lowry (53), Evelyn Aylward for O’Reilly (58).

REFEREE: Ray Kelly (Kildare).

Examiner’s Eye on the game

Player of the match

Aoife Doherty (Westmeath): There were a number of Westmeath players who made an impression, but perhaps Aoife Doherty’s contribution deserves to win the accolade as she beavered away and got 1-1 from play in the process. Megan Dowdall and Amelia Shaw were also very much to the fore.

Score of the match

A fine point by Denise McGrath from the wing made it 0-4 to 0-2 in Westmeath’s favour after 16 minutes.

Key moments

Westmeath dominated the third quarter and scored five unanswered points to establish a lead of 0-11 to 0-3. They also got three unanswered scores during the second quarter and these little spells of dominance broke Laois’ resistance.

Match officials

Referee Ray Kelly did well, overall. He penalised Elaine Finn for ‘steps’ in the 12th minute giving her very little time. Aoife Doherty seemed unfortunate to be penalised for charging when it looked like she was fouled in the 41st minute. He was strict in penalising throws.

Next up

Westmeath have one final game against Cavan (away) next Saturday and they will be aiming to finish the campaign with another win. Laois play Kerry (away) in their final game having already been relegated.