Ladies finish with victory over table toppers Cavan

Westmeath 1-15, Cavan 2-9

By Aideen Coyle

Westmeath went into this game already relegated but they finished their Division 2 league campaign on a winning note by ending Cavan's unbeaten run at Kingspan Breffni Park last Sunday.

Entering this final round game, neither team had anything to play for as the Breffni ladies were already guaranteed promotion, and the visitors were relegated alongside Wexford.

With one eye on the final on April 11, Cavan manager Emmet Daly made 13 changes to the team that defeated Tyrone the week prior. Due to the widespread changes, Cavan took time to settle into the contest and, on the flip side Westmeath, playing for pride, capitalised by starting the stronger of the teams.

Westmeath claimed a deserved seven-point lead at half-time thanks to a goal from Katie Kilmurray. The St Loman’s attacker and Rebecca Higgins of Goldsmiths were both sublime across the hour.

With the aid of several substitutes, Cavan battled back in the second half with an Aishling Sheridan goal setting up an exciting finish to the tie played in front of a large home crowd.

The visitors started the brightest with Rebecca Higgins pointing on the double in the opening four minutes. The sides were level for the first time soon after as Cara McCaffrey hit two in reply, one from a free following a kickout infringement. A fisted Clara Lynch score from the resulting kickout gave Cavan a slender lead but only momentarily as Katie Kilmurray slotted over from close range.

Westmeath added a further 1-2 in quick succession to open up a five-point lead and they stayed in front for the remainder. Kilmurray pointed her second before forcing Cara Reilly into a fine save.

Six minutes later, Kilmurray managed to break through for a goal after brilliant link up play with Higgins. A point from Ashley Ruane was cancelled out by a much-needed Cavan score from Ellie Brady to reduce the deficit to four.

However, as was the story of the half Westmeath finished the more clinical side with a hat-trick of points from Philippa Ruane, Ashley Ruane and Vicky Carr to go in at the break 1-8 to 0-4 ahead. In truth, the gap could have been more but for two excellent saves by Cara Reilly from Vicky Carr efforts.

Two points from Lucy McCartan after the resumption pushed the relegated side nine ahead. With 38 minutes on the clock, the hosts were handed a lifeline as Niamh palmed to the net after a dangerous ball into the square from Clara Lynch. A fantastic score from sharpshooter Cara McCaffrey left five between the teams with a quarter remaining.

However, Cavan struggled to find the rhythm and fluidity in attack that they had in previous games with Westmeath punishing them at the opposite end with another five on the trot. Two more from McCartan, Kilmurray and one from Philippa Ruane left daylight between the teams with 51 minutes gone.

Further personnel changes from Daly reaped the benefits for Cavan who set up an exciting finish by hitting 1-4 on the bounce to leave one score between the teams going into additional time. Points from Rebecca McLoughlin were followed by Cavan’s second goal this time from Aishling Sheridan, who reacted quickest to Zara Fay’s dropping shot.

However, as the full-time whistle approached, Cavan failed to find the crucial score to maintain their unbeaten status something the Breffni ladies won't dwell too much on giving their position in the league final against Ulster rivals Donegal, who defeated Wexford to take second spot on the table.

Scorers - Westmeath: K Kilmurray 1-4 (0-1f); L McCartan 0-4; R Higgins, A Ruane and P Ruane 0-2 each; V Carr 0-1. Cavan: N McCorry and A Sheridan 1-0 each; C McCaffery (2f) and R McLoughlin (3f) 0-3 each; E Brady and C Lynch 0-1 each.

Westmeath - Amy Donlon; Sarah Murphy, Fiona Coyle, Lara McCartan; Ashley Ruane, Lucy Power, Niamh Nolan; Philippa Ruane, Tracey Dillon; Caoimhe Kilmurray, Vicky Carr, Aoife Keegan, Katie Kilmurray, Lucy McCartan, Rebecca Higgins.

Cavan - Cara Reilly; Lucy Crowe, Cora McDonnell, Niamh Briody; Emma McIntyre, Shauna Lynch, Ailbhe Kennedy; Ellie Brady, Ciara Boylan; Jill Giles, Cara McCaffery, Clara Lynch; Aisling Doughty, Niamh McCorry, Katie Mai Reilly. Subs used: Christina Charters for J. Giles, Deirbhile Lynch for K. Reilly, Sinead Greene for E. Brady, Keri McCormack for C. Boylan, Zara Fay for C. McCaffrey, Aishling Sheridan for N. , Rebecca McLoughlin for C. Lynch, Ellyanna Madden for N. Briody, Sinead Kelly for C. Charters, Muireann Cusack for A. Doughty.

Referee - David Hurson.