Ladies show character to survive late Tipperary onslaught

There was a mixture of relief and joy in the Westmeath ladies camp after Sunday’s victory over Tipperary in Division 2 of the National Football League, by 1-7 to 1-6.

“It’s just what we need as a group as well because if we lost today we would have been under real pressure to get something in the last two games,” noted manager Frank Browne.

“That bit of pressure is off us now, but any pressure we put on as a group comes from wanting to perform, wanting to do better. So it will just make it easier going to training on Tuesday night now.”

Browne paid tribute to a terrific defensive effort in which Westmeath had to work really hard to curb the enormous threat of Premier County star Aishling Moloney.

“Our defence worked hard and tactically we got it right. We were so conscious of Aishling Moloney because she is such a good footballer. We just made a decision where Fiona Coyle was going to take her and Lucy Power was going to double tag her,” Browne revealed.

“We knew the rest of the players further out the field would have to work so much harder in order for this to pay off. They got it right. We managed it very well: if you give Aishling a chance at all she is going to hurt you. The quality of ball going in wasn’t maybe as good as it could have been because our players were working so hard out the field.”

A second half goal from Sarah Dillon proved crucial on the day, while the extra preparatory work Westmeath put in proved beneficial.

“Sarah Dillon got some great scores - and she is plagued with injury as we all know - but after every game we worked hard. We played a couple of challenge games last weekend and it stood to us,” said Browne.

“Leanne Slevin, who came back into the team, showed great composure on the ball.

“We saw her doing the right thing, play the easy pass, running into the corner. Her leadership was crucial in the forwards.”