Superb second half display fails to rescue Westmeath

Kildare 1-9, Westmeath 1-7

One that got away. That was the overriding feeling departing a miserably wet Lakepoint Park venue on Saturday after Westmeath U16 ladies lost out to Kildare in the Leinster U16 championship by just two points.

Having dominated the second half, the Lake County were left to rue what might have been. In truth, their failure to convert a few great goal chances in the first half ultimately cost them as Kildare’s outstanding goalkeeper Aibhe McKeon emerged as one of the heroines.

Kildare led by 1-5 to 0-3 at half-time and it was their superior kicking skills which proved the difference. For the sceptics amongst us who feel that hand-passing has ruined the great game, this would restore your faith and Aoibheann Birchall and Aoibhe Kelly were two outstanding exponents of the art in this match.

Westmeath were excellent and while that will not seem like much consolation having lost, they can take so much from their two performances to date in this seriously competitive division. When Hannah Hogan booted home their only goal on 40 minutes, they followed up with points from Shannon Breslin and Katie Kilmurray to lead by 1-6 to 1-5; Kildare, with the breeze behind them got two fine scores to regain the lead and they sealed victory with an injury-time free.

Right to the end Westmeath gave their all and Katie Kilmurray’s late, late free, eight minutes into added time, landed in the square before the full-time whistle sounded. A fantastic match ended with a Kildare victory, but it could easily have gone the home side’s way.

Kildare effectively won the game in the first 20 minutes when they applied serious pressure on the home side to establish a six-point lead (1-5 to 0-2) - the goal coming from Aoibhe Kelly, who booted the ball home from close-range. Like the Westmeath goal it wasn’t exactly a thing of beauty, but it was hugely significant in the overall scheme of things.

Westmeath had taken the early blows and responded well with Katie Kilmurray and Shannon Breslin getting two nice points to keep them level after 11 minutes, the latter after effective use of the long ball. But despite playing into the breeze, Kildare went on to assume complete control as Aoibheann Birchall (two) and Aoibhe Kelly kicked impressive points.

Orlagh O’Brien was denied a goal by McKeon after a fine move, the full forward’s low shot saved with the feet following nice combination work from Charleigh Seery Katie Kilmurray. Jayne Charles was denied a goal late on by another fine save and there was plenty for Westmeath to reflect on at the break.

In fairness, Westmeath’s second half display was outstanding. They scored an unanswered 1-3 to take the lead for the first time on 43 minutes: the crucial goal in that spell came from Hannah Hogan, who booted home a low shot when McKeon somehow stretched back to keep out a high punt. Katie Kilmurray (two frees) and Shannon Breslin supplied the points.

Kildare got the next three, though from Birchall (two, one free) and Kelly to lead by 1-8 to 1-6 as a gripping finale ensued. Westmeath pulled a point back through Aoibhinn Berry before a late Kildare free (cleverly taken with the left boot by Amy Jones) ensured victory.

Scorers - Kildare: A Birchall 0-5 (1f), A Kelly 1-2, C Mallon and A Jones (free) 0-1 each. Westmeath: H Hogan 1-0, K Kilmurray 0-3 (2f), S Breslin 0-2, M Tormey and A Berry 0-1 each.

Kildare: Aibhe McKeon; Kate McNulty, Aoife O’Riain, Grace Coburn; Caoimhe Mahon, Jessica McNulty, Moya McCarthy; Emily Gallagher, Aoife Treacy; Anna Hynes, Cassie Mallon, Aoibheann Birchall; Niamh O’Mahoney, Aoibhe Kelly, Amy Jones. Subs: Aoibheann Mahon for N O’Mahoney (37), Lexie Reddington for C Mallon (58).

Westmeath: Keira Kelly; Rebecca Ward, Eimear Doonan, Grace Shortall; Orla Collins, Aoibhinn Berry, Áine Bracken; Jayne Charles, Charlotte Butler Clyne; Lucy Allen, Shannon Breslin, Maisie Tormey; Andrea Goggins, Orlagh O’Brien, Katie Murray. Subs: Charleigh Seery for L Allen (15), Hannah Hogan for M Tormey (h-t), Emily Craven for A Goggins (53), Abbie McCauley for S Breslin (57), Aoife Ross for C Butler Clyne (60).

Ref: Finbarr Shanahan (Dublin).