Westmeath crowned Leinster intermediate champions
TG4 Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship final
Westmeath 1-12 Laois 0-9
Having lost out narrowly in last year's final, Westmeath claimed the Leinster LGFA intermediate title with a deserved win over Laois at TEG Cusack Park yesterday (Sunday).
In front of a decent sized crowd, a combination of better finishing than Laois and diligent defending proved crucial factors in Westmeath's victory on home turf.
Not for the first time, Sarah Dillon took the scoring plaudits, registering a tally of 1-4 on this occasion. But Westmeath's strong defensive effort was exemplified by full-back Sarah Murphy, who was chosen for the official player of the match award.
Dillon's seventh-minute goal helped Westmeath into a 1-8 to 0-2 lead at half-time. The goal came after a Laois kickout went awry with Lucy McCartan providing the pass for Dillon to slot home.
Teenage attacker Caoimhe Kilmurray also caught the eye for Westmeath in the opening half, scoring three points from play. Although it was a sunny day in Mullingar, the breeze was deceptively strong and it favoured Westmeath in the opening half.
With impressive substitute Emily Lacey scoring a trio of points, Laois valiantly tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but the goal they needed never arrived. Laois were guilty of wasteful shooting at times, but the Westmeath defence deserves credit for applying pressure on their opponents, also executing turnovers several times.
Afterwards, Westmeath captain Fiona Coyle was presented with the trophy by Leinster LGFA president Arthur Corrigan.
Westmeath now prepare for the All-Ireland intermediate championship where they will compete in Group 2 alongside Down (Ulster intermediate runners-up) and Tyrone.
Scorers – Westmeath: S Dillon 1-4; C Kilmurray 0-3; A Jones 0-2 (2 frees); V Carr, L McCartan, P Ruane 0-1 each. Laois: E Lacey 0-3; J Moore 0-2; C Burke, L Kearney, E Lawlor and M Nerney (f) 0-1 each.
Westmeath - Aoife Temple; Lara McCartan, Sarah Murphy, Fiona Coyle; Chloe Gonoud, Lucy Power, Susanna Buckley; Vicky Carr, Ayesha Roche; Lucy McCartan, Sarah Dillon, Tracey Dillon; Gráinne Byrne, Anna Jones, Caoimhe Kilmurray. Subs: Ashley Ruane for Gonoud (37 mins), Pip Ruane for T Dillon (54), Francesca Walshe for Coyle (injured, 61), Catriona Dunne for S Dillon (62).
Laois - Eimear Barry; Sinead Farrelly, Faye McEvoy, Grainne Lalor; Aoife Gorman, Anna Moore, Andrea Moran; Fiona Dooley, Jane Moore; Shifra Havill, Lauren Walsh, Ciara Crowley; Eva Galvin, Ciara Burke, Mo Nerney. Subs: Emily Lacey for Walsh (23 mins), Emma Lawlor for Burke (39), Lauren Kearney for Crowley (injured, 43), Grainne Moran for Havill (48), Aoibhe Byron for Lalor (52).
Referee - Henri Clifford (Meath).