‘We’ll be ready for Kildare’ vows Lake County supremo

Westmeath camogie manager Pádraic Connaughton praised the battling spirit of his team despite a 2-14 to 2-6 defeat to Offaly in the final group game of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship on Saturday, a result which now leaves the Lake County facing a relegation play-off against Kildare.

“It was a disappointing end to the group stages, but the players gave their all and you can’t fault that,” said Connaughton after the final whistle in Tullamore. “We're not finished yet; we'll have a relegation game now against Kildare.”

Reflecting on the performance against Offaly, Connaughton believed his side were very much in the contest at half-time and had identified vulnerabilities in the Offaly defence.

“We were well in it. When we reviewed it at half-time, we thought Offaly were vulnerable at the back. Every time we ran at them, we just didn't get the ball in there enough. We probably weren't clinical enough, dropped a good few balls. But look, as the saying goes, they died with their boots on. We are very proud of them. We've had a very, very tough year. But we've stuck with it and we'll stick with it for the next two weeks.”

Westmeath looked to have drawn level with their second goal, but Offaly struck back almost immediately with a crucial score.

“That was a sucker punch,” said Connaughton. “We had a well-worked goal – I think there were five players involved – and then it was a quick puck-out. It takes the air out of your lungs. I thought we responded well, started the second half very well. We just didn't get enough return on the scoreboard.”

Despite the loss, Connaughton took encouragement from the attacking threat posed by the full-forward line.

“The full forward line the last two games, like for 40, 42 minutes against Antrim, they were excellent. And they were good again today. They're very threatening, very physical, particularly when they run at you. Just couldn't get enough ball in there.”

Asked about the difficult year, including a number of absentees and injuries, the manager was honest but resilient in his outlook.

“We don't like to reference this; it’s a umbers game – we're down 16 from last year. That's before we started. We've had injuries. We've had brilliant news as well – Muireann (Scally) is expecting twins, so she's helping us out in 16 or 17 years' time! But look, I knew that in December. I'm not silly, but look, it's important Westmeath field and we'll be ready in two weeks. It's Kildare – they were beaten again today. All I can tell you as a manager is we'll be ready.”

Connaughton was proud of his team’s attitude throughout what has been a demanding campaign.

“They're battling hard every game. In Division 1B of the league, in two of the games we were outclassed, and I'd openly say that. Two of the other games we should have won. Like, Antrim won by 19 today in Loughgiel – we held them to three points in Ballycastle. So battling-wise and attitude-wise, they're a super bunch. A small bunch, but a super bunch. But they just need time. They need time, and they have two weeks now. But I'll say it again, we'll be ready for Kildare.”

He also praised the contribution of goalkeeper Fiona Keating, who returned to the starting line-up following an injury to Aoife Corcoran.

“Aoife suffered a terrible injury last week in Mullingar, and then we assessed it. We're lucky, we had three goalies. We are blessed in that regard. We went for Fiona again. It's her first start in, I'd say, over a year. She did well. Don’t ask me who the goalie will be the next day. I don't know. We'll see how they go during the week.”

Westmeath now turn their attention to that all-important showdown with Kildare – a match that will decide their Intermediate status for 2026. Under Connaughton’s stewardship, and with the fighting qualities shown all season, they will be determined to deliver a winning performance.