Westmeath defeat Meath with Murtagh the star

Westmeath 2-9, Meath 3-4

TEG Cusack Park was the venue last Sunday as Westmeath’s U16 camogie side celebrated victory in the Leinster Championship over Meath in a game of high physicality, good scoring and drama until the final seconds.

The crowd in attendance were treated to fine team play as well as some individual standouts on both sides as Teresa Lynch and her side added a second victory to their campaign, having defeated Kildare in round 2 to build on a competitive defeat by Dublin early on.

Ella Murtagh got the home side up and running from near the 45’ in as many seconds, the first of her strong total of 1-5 for the day. It was a fast-paced game as Erin Mangan wasted no time in responding with a close-range point. Róisín Connaughton added a second placed-ball for her side before Mangan levelled again.

Murtagh’s free was almost followed by a goal but her ground strike skimmed across the goals and wide. With the game a little over ten minutes old, Katheryna Zinchenko took aim from range and watched as her shot evaded Salomeja Slusnyte and the green flag was raised.

With the maroon side 1-3 to 0-2 ahead, the game continued to be a hard battle across the pitch. Meath received two yellows from Paul Donnelly in quick succession before Murtagh showed her versatility with a 45. The defensive resolve on both sides was evident – Áine McTigue for Meath was alert while Westmeath can pinpoint the likes of Annabelle Hynes at the back.

Ruth Hynes and Ellen Mulvaney were covering every blade of grass in the middle but Meath got back into the game with a well-finished goal by Tara Watters. Both sides cleared dangerous balls as the half ended with Westmeath one ahead, 1-4 to 1-3.

The supporters were barely back in their seats when the green flag was raised. Maria McLoughlin blasted from a long way out and with seemingly nothing happening, the ball trickled into the corner of the net to the surprise of everyone. It was defences on top for the next few minutes – Rachel McDonnell and Maggie Bartley with great blocks.

With ten minutes left and Murtagh, Connaughton, and Mangan having exchanged frees, Westmeath levelled through Ruth Hynes wonderfully executed score. The home side went two ahead with lightning scores from Murtagh and Connaughton to lead 1-9 to 2-4.

The drama came in the final minutes as substitute Erin O’Faoláin’s quick ball to Connaughton then landed in the hand of Murtagh who drilled to the net. The full-forward was inches from another seconds later but Meath did not give up, even with the clock against them. Mangan fired at goal from a free but Laura Doyle saved expertly.

With the final puck at goal, Mangan did hit the roof of the net. The final whistle drew scenes of joy from the panel as a fine weekend for Westmeath hurling and camogie concluded.

Player of the match: Annabelle Hynes (Westmeath): Annabelle was as crucial to the defensive work as Murtagh was to the attacking side of things.

What it means: Westmeath have a bye in the next round and then travel to face Kilkenny B on April 7.

Scorers - Westmeath: E Murtagh 1-5 (4 frees, 1 45’), R Connaughton 0-3 (3 frees), K Zinchenko 1-0, R Hynes 0-1. Meath: E Mangan 1-2 (1 goal free), T Watters, M McLoughlin 1-0 each, E Murray 0-2 (2 frees).

Westmeath: Laura Doyle; Aoife O’Connor, Rachel McDonnell, Katie Muldoon; Emma Wiseman, Annabelle Hynes, Maggie Bartley; Ruth Hynes, Ellen Mulvaney; Rebecca Ward, Abbie McCauley, Róisín Connaughton; Sally Ryan, Ella Murtagh, Katheryna Zinchenko. Subs used: Erin O’Faoláin for Ryan (half-time), Katie McDonnell for Wiseman (37), Claire Loughrey for Muldoon (37), Lucy Kennedy for McCauley (52), Chloe Henry for O’Connor (60+1).

Meath: Salomeja Slusnyte; Aoibhinn Ward, Hannah Shore, Áine McTigue; Niamh Boyce, Ellie Potterton, Ciara McIntyre; Lauren Donegan, Sophie Donnelly; Aisling O’Connor, Erin Mangan, Ellen Murray; Tara Watters, Maria McLoughlin, Hannah Snow. Subs used: Jennah Uyanik for McIntyre (half-time), Clodagh Maher for Shore (43), Grace Kelly for Donnelly (43), Abbie Reilly for O’Connor (43), Eva Casey for Donegan (59).

Referee: Paul Donnelly (Kildare).