Jones and Dillon deliver as Westmeath edge out Cavan

Westmeath 3-7, Cavan 1-12

Having exited last year’s All-Ireland race at the quarter-final stage with a narrow defeat to Wexford, Westmeath inflicted similar heartbreak on Cavan on Sunday last.

Cavan had home advantage at Kingspan Breffni Park, having topped their group with an annihilation of Wicklow after suffering a one-point defeat to Monaghan. On the other hand, Westmeath came into this tie on the back of a hefty defeat to Tyrone which followed a victory over Down in the opening round.

A fourth point from Cavan sharpshooter Aisling Gilsenan brought the sides level at half-time after two quickfire Westmeath goals had put the visitors five ahead in the early stages.

But a third goal for Westmeath in the second half from Anna Jones was enough to guide her side to a narrow victory despite Cavan dominating proceedings for large periods of time. Westmeath’s clinical edge in front of goal was the difference as Cavan will rue missed chances at the beginning of the second half.

After an early goal chance went astray for Catherine Dolan, Cavan hit two on the bounce to get proceedings underway. Aishling Sheridan opened the scoring in the second minute, and this was followed by a converted close range free from Gilsenan after a foul on Sheridan.

At the opposite end, Westmeath hit back with a goal after a foul by goalkeeper Evelyn Baugh on Anna Jones resulted in a penalty. Jones stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball to the left hand side of the Cavan shot stopper.

Seconds later, Westmeath star attacker Sarah Dillon sent over a fine score to open her account. From the resulting kickout, the Leinster intermediate champions inflicted further pain on the Breffni side as Dillon raised her side’s second green flag, opening up an early five-point lead.

The hosts began to find their groove in the closing quarter, hitting 1-4 as Westmeath finished with 0-2 to go in at the break level pegging. Midway through the half, a swift attacking move between Lucy Jayne Grant, Micaela Fitzpatrick and Aishling Sheridan led to Aisling Gilsenan being played through on goal, with the forward finding the net to reduce the deficit.

Dillon and Gilsenan traded a point apiece as Caoimhe Kilmurray left three between the teams with a fine effort after excellent work from Lara McCartan. However, the Ulster champions finished the half strongly with Gilsenan once again coming up with crucial scores. A double from the full forward and one from the outstanding Catherine Dolan left the sides level for the first time, 1-6 to 2-3.

In truth, Cavan dominated possession and scoring opportunities in the third quarter but failed to make it count on the scoreboard, taking just a three-point lead entering the final 15 minutes.

Two frees in quick succession from Jones put the visitors ahead by two. However, they failed to add another score for over 13 minutes as Cavan took control of the tie pressing Aoife Temple’s kickout. After four early wides for Cavan, a foul on half-time substitute Keri McCormack (after superb work in the build up from Lucy Crowe) led to a scoreable free for Gilsenan to convert.

Niamh Keenaghan overturned the resulting kickout with Ellie Brady fisting a score to leave the teams level for the second time. Cavan continued to get joy from their well implemented kickout press and, moments later, the Ballyhaise clubwoman put her side ahead.

Sinead Greene then added a score after a link up with Dolan, followed by Gilsenan’s sixth to put Cavan three ahead midway through the half.

Attacks were few and far between for the visitors at the start of the second half but their taliswoman Sarah Dillon - who had a brilliant battle with Sinead Kelly - showed her worth with two excellent scores to leave the minimum between the teams. With the game hotting up, Sinead Greene won a crucial free for Cavan which Gilsenan slotted over at her ease.

However, an uncharacteristic mistake in the Cavan backline with 55 minutes on the clock proved costly as Westmeath hit their third goal of the game. Anna Jones was the heroine for her side as she palmed to the net at the second time of asking after her initial shot was brilliantly blocked by Sinead Greene.

There was time for one more moment of drama in the closing minutes as referee David Hurson looked to have signalled for a Cavan free after Aisling Gilsenan appeared to be fouled on her path to goal. But after consultation with his umpires, the referee awarded a free out as the full-time whistle blew in Kingspan Breffni Park, signalling Cavan’s exit from the competition as Westmeath progress to a semi-final meeting against Tyrone.

Scorers – Westmeath: A Jones 2-2 (1-0pen, 0-2f); S Dillon 1-4; C Kilmurray 0-1. Cavan: A Gilsenan 1-7 (0-3f); E Brady 0-2; S Greene, C Dolan and A Sheridan 0-1 each.

Cavan - Evelyn Baugh; Eimear Corcoran, Sinead Kelly, Lucy Crowe; Sinead Greene, Shauna Lynch, Mona Sheridan; Micaela Fitzpatrick, Niamh Tolan; Ellie Brady, Lucy Jayne Grant, Catherine Dolan; Aisling Gilsenan, Aishling Sheridan, Christina Charters. Subs used: Niamh Keenaghan for L. Grant, Keri McCormack for C. Charters, Niamh McCorry for N. Tolan, Annie Deneher for E. Brady

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; Grainne Byrne, Anna Jones, Caoimhe Kilmurray. Subs used: Philippa Ruane for C. Gonoud, Ashley Ruane for A. Roche, Katie Kilmurray for C. Kilmurray.

Referee - David Hurson (Monaghan).