Memorable day for Westmeath camogie in Croke Park
After his troops had defeated Derry in the Division 2 league final in Croke Park last Sunday afternoon, Westmeath camogie manager Padraic Connaughton was understandably delighted with the latest piece of silverware to come to the Lake County, but he was already focused on the upcoming All-Ireland intermediate championship.
When it was initially put to him that he was still unbeaten in his role as Westmeath bainisteoir, he responded: “Yes, that’s a good feeling and I think it’s the first time we have won Division 2. Westmeath people collectively will be really happy as it is all about raising the profile of camogie in the county.”
He continued: “The girls have put in massive work and, for that reason, I was confident coming up today. We fell asleep a little in the middle third of the game, but then we regained our composure. Megan (Dowdall) was on fire, and what I love about her is her humility and her willingness to work. She is a very talented camogie player. If the ball goes into space, whether it’s to Megan or Hannah (Core) or Sheila (McGrath) or Amelia (Shaw), they will do damage.”
Of course, winning a game is not all down to the scorers and, when pressed on the matter, Connaughton mentioned some other key performers. “Julie (McLoughlin) is a leader on and off the pitch. There was pressure on her with that carrot of going up a division in the league, but she waltzed out with balls today (from full back). Around midfield, Aoife (O’Malley) is highly intelligent with the ball, and she is great at throwing herself into a ruck and drawing a foul,” he opined.
“You can’t underestimate how hard we have worked in Bunbrosna. It’s tough to watch the training, never mind participate in it! Next up is Cork in TEG Cusack Park in June, followed by Galway, Clare, Wexford and Offaly. It is a group of death in the intermediate championship. We will take a week off and then regroup,” he added.
Asked what his target for the championship was, he said: “To win it. My target is to win every game we play in. That is not being cocky. And if you ask the managers of other counties, they’ll say the same.”