O’Mara feels Westmeath can make progress despite Meath loss

Westmeath senior camogie manager, Barry O’Mara said his side was hoping to make a bigger impression early on in the league, but although losing to Meath last Saturday, the players are determined to make progress this season.

However, he noted that the division is seriously competitive and the round two clash against Carlow next weekend now becomes a crucial game.

“It’s not an ideal start, on day one to be beaten. These girls - we tapped into it - they really love playing for Westmeath. So we will dust ourselves off and go at it again. It’s only week one; we have a bit done - not a huge amount - but Carlow now becomes a big game next weekend,” he said.

He agreed that Carlow, having lost to Derry last weekend, will be very determined to bounce back.

But he felt Westmeath competed very well against Meath and that the game will stand to his side.

“It’s a six-pointer,” he agreed. “It’s a very tight group. We were right there in contention in that game for long parts of it and when Meath got the goal, it took momentum away from us a small bit. Carlow beat us last year; they are a good outfit. Derry are a really strong side. So it is going to be really competitive in every game,” he added.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge; we have a big panel of players. And it’s week-on-week now, so it’s great.”

On the new rules, O’Mara welcomed the changes.

“They are fairly straightforward. The one that makes sense is the sideline from the backline (side-line pucks may be taken from the player's hand, if she is inside her own ‘45’) which keeps the game moving, and the action fast. The girls are all in favour of that,” he said.

The Crookedwood man said Westmeath are focused and keen to do well this year and feels a strong panel has been formed for the challenge ahead. “It’s great to see all the players back. We have 16 players this year, who were not part of the side last year, so it will take a small bit of time to gel them all together. A lot of players have been there before, some of them are new, so it will take a bit more time,” he said.

“We will keep building, the players will not be found wanting. They are training very well and are a very honest group. You can’t argue with their dedication.”