Westmeath secure safety despite a loss against Laois

National Camogie League Division 2: Laois 2-10, Westmeath 1-11

Westmeath ended their Division 2 campaign with a narrow two-point loss to Laois in Portlaoise on Saturday afternoon but with the result of the Carlow vs Meath match going in their favour, they still secure Division 2 safety.

Despite the best efforts of Megan Dowdall, who nearly won it at the death, Laois were full value for their win but there were a lot of positives to be taken away on the Westmeath side especially the manner of their fightback in the second half.

Westmeath got off to a slow start at Laois Hire O’Moore Park and this looked like costing them the game, but they battled back from five down early in the first half to trail by two points at the break.

Aimee Collier, who was a thorn in Westmeath’s side throughout, opened up the scoring with a fine score, but Westmeath soon responded through Shelia McGrath. Laois then took control of the game hitting 1-2 without reply with Collier and Kaylee O’Keeffe getting the points, while Collier delivered a superb goal to leave it 1-3 to 0-1 with ten minutes gone.

Megan Dowdall, who was undoubtedly Westmeath’s best player of the half, dragged her team back into the contest with three brilliant points in a row. The home side than again responded through Sarah Fleming and Susie Delaney to reestablish their four-point gap.

Dowdall again responded with two more points before the sides traded points before the break with Collier adding a free for Laois as Shelia McGrath got the last score of the half. Laois led 1-6 to 0-7 to at half-time with the game in the balance.

There was no stopping Dowdall as she opened second-half scoring through a free, but Laois were keeping Westmeath at arm’s length and every time they got close, the home side responded.

Collier hit two massive scores and in between them Fiona Keating pulled off two heroic saves to keep her side in the game.

Laois sub Kirsten Keenan scored Laois’ second goal and that proved decisive in the end. But despite the blow, Westmeath kept battling away.

Dowdall, who was causing havoc in the inside line, scored another two points to her tally and she was almost single-handedly keeping Westmeath in the game.

Collier added a much-needed score for Laois, before Westmeath took control of proceedings. Julie McLoughlin hit her first point of the day and then Dowdall struck for a goal and it was game on with seven minutes to left, Laois leading by the minimum, 2-9 to 1-11.

Laois got the last score of the game from a free, but the drama didn’t end there as Dowdall nearly won the game at the death as she had a double effort on goal – one attempt hit the post and the other was saved brilliantly by Laois goalie Aedin Lowry.

The O’Moore County held on for the win, but Westmeath won’t be too disappointed as they secured their place in Division 2A for 2027, with Carlow relegated after their 1-14 to 0-17 draw against Meath.

Scorers - Laois: A Collier 1-7 (0-4 frees); K Keenan 1-0; K O’Keeffe, S Delaney and S Fleming 0-1 each. Westmeath: M Dowdall 1-8 (0-4f, 0-1 45); S McGrath 0-2; J McLoughlin 0-1.

Laois - Aedin Lowry; Laura Finlay, Ellen Conroy, Fiona Scully; Aoife Finlay, Clodagh Tynan, Sarah Creagh; Sarah Fleming, Lucy Conroy; Kaylee O’Keeffe, Aisling O’Dea, Grainne Delaney; Suzie Delaney, Aimee Collier, Eimear Hassett. Subs: Jade Bergin for O’Dea (33 mins); Kirsten Keenan for Delaney (H-T); Rachel Deegan for Hassett (37); Amy Daly for Conroy.

Westmeath - Fiona Keating; Áine Newman, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Roisin Scally; Maria Kelly, Ellen Flanagan, Laura Doherty; Aoife O’Malley, Erin Core; Meadhbh McLoughlin, Julie McLoughlin, Ashley Ruane; Sheila McGrath, Amelia Shaw, Megan Dowdall. Subs: Orlaith Dolan for Shaw (H-T); Aishling Doyle for Kelly (46 mins); Karen Keegan for M McLoughlin (46); Caoimhe Coogan for Ruane (58).

Referee - Eamon Cassidy.