Casey compounds Westmeath's woes as ladies lose again

In what was by far the warmest day of the year to date, the few dozen shirt-sleeved spectators were entertained to a Bórd Gáis N.F.L. Division 3 final round game between trans-Shannon neighbours Roscommon and Westmeath at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday last. Despite the fact that an intimidating 15 points separated the sides at Cavan referee Yvonne Duffy's final whistle in this bottom-of-the-table clash, Westmeath's didn't deserve on the run of the day to be such a margin adrift on the scoreboard, as they contributed in no small measure to an open and keenly fought game of football on a beautiful day with an impressive seven players getting on the final score sheet.The real difference on this occasion was the razor-keen scoring prowess of Roscommon corner-forward Emer Casey. The Ballinameen sharp shooter proved tormentor-in-chief to the Lake County squad, having notched an incredible 3-7 (2-3 from play) until forced off through injury seven minutes from the end of normal time. On almost every occasion the ball came her way she made it count, also punishing Westmeath defensive indiscretions with 1-4 from placed balls, although the second half goaled free had more than a touch of luck about it.Neither side had, to date, made significant impression in the current leagues. In a group also including top-of-the-table Cavan, Waterford, Wicklow, Wexford, Longford and Fermanagh, Roscommon had garnered no points coming into Sunday's local derby, while Westmeath solitary success en-route was against Waterford (1-10 to 1-8) while losing (1-11 to 0-7) to Longford last time out. Roscommon had taken the Division 3 title last year beating Wicklow in the final at Kiltoom before the league structure was changed for 2010.In a game where the wind exercised no influence, the Maroons made the better start. A free by Garrycastle's Sarah Dolan was punched over the crossbar by alert Roscommon goalie Claire McDermott in the opening minute, while centre forward Laura Walsh, who plays her football with Dublin club Na Fianna, pointed from play a minute later. Westmeath custodian Deirdre Robbins (Kilbeggan) brought off a smart save from an Annie McCormack initiated Roscommon foray and she spectacularly replicated her prowess minutes later when saving a spot-kick from the same player after the marauding Emer Casey had forced a penalty. The Rossies pressure was rewarded in the ninth minute when a combined move started by centre-forward McCormack and continued by midfielder Marla Candon - was completed by attacking corner-back Louise Tully who pointed on the run. A foul on midfielder Sharon Ryan (10th minute) brought Emer Casey her first score of the game - a pointed free - and when goalie Deirdre Robbins made another good save from Eire Óg's Niamh Ward, Casey combined with full forward Tara Taylor to find the net in the ensuing play.Westmeath fought back with Ruth Kearney pointing from an acute angle, but corner forward Casey stretched the Roscommon lead with a brace of points form play, the second of which with a possible goal on. As they had started the game, Westmeath finished the half strongly when it took a timely interception by alert Roscommon goalkeeper Claire McDermott to deny Mairéad McCormack a major score. Ciara Scally became the home side's fourth player to score from play when pointing on 30 minutes. A feature of the half was the high wide count on both sides - 8 each - as the interval saw the Rossies ahead by 1-4 to 0-4.Westmeath centre forward Laura Walsh saw her shot sail just wide, while midfielder Johanna Maher drew another good save from Claire McDermott. The home side increased their lead (34th min) when Siobhán Tully placed Niamh Ward on the left wing for a point, but then followed a 6-minute scoring spell which effectively decided this 7th round league tie, simultaneously bringing the Connacht ladies their first win in the current league. And it was Emer Casey who did all the damage. A total of 1-3 came from placed balls, the goal as stated being of the lucky variety with the fourth point from play, while the second goal came from a '45' kick by centre back Sinéad Cooney finished to the net by the clinical corner forward whose match total now stood at 3-7 as she was forced off injured. With Louise Tully tacking on another point, Roscommon led by 3-10 to 0-4 entering the final quarter of the match.As the game entered its closing stages with exchanges continuing at a hectic rate. Both teams added four points each to their totals, with Roscommon's Annie McCormack (0-2 frees), Siobhán Tully and Niamh Ward (0-1) each bringing their match total to 3-14, while Westmeath midfielder Johanna Maher (Kilbeggan) scored (0-2) from play for her team, with Mairéad McCormack and first half sub Lisa Rigney adding (0-1) each, also from play, bringing the final tally to 0-8.On a disappointing day at the office, Westmeath's Deirdre Robbins, Jenny Rogers, Aileen Martin, Fiona Claffey, Johanna Maher, Ciara Scally, Laura Walsh and Ruth Kearney impressed at various stages of the hour.Scorers: Roscommon: Emer Casey (3-7, 1-4 frees), Niamh Ward (0-2), Siobhán Tully (0-2), Annie McCormack (0-2 frees) and Louise Tully (0-1). Westmeath: Johanna Maher (0-2), Laura Walsh (0-1), Ruth Kearney (0-1), Ciara Scally (0-1), Sarah Dolan (0-1 frees), Mairéad McCormack (0-1) and Lisa Rigney (0-1).Roscommon: Claire McDermott, Susie Keenaghan, Laura Sharkey, Louise Tully, Sinéad Kenny, Sinéad Cooney, Aimee Higgins, Marla Candon, Sharon Ryan, Siobhán Tully, Annie McCormack, Niamh Ward, Natalie McHugh, Tara Taylor and Emer Casey. Subs: Jenny Connolly for McHugh (23); Eilish Fannon for Ward (46); Helen Egan and Sarah Finnerty for Candon and Casey (inj) double substitution (53;) Elaine Scally and Sorcha Ormbsy for Ryan and Higgins - double substitution (55).Westmeath: Deirdre Robbins, Katie Heslin, Jenny Rogers, Aileen Martin, Karen Hegarty, Fiona Claffey, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Johanna Maher, Aoife O'Brien, Ciara Scally, Laura Walsh, Ruth Kearney, Mairéad McCormack, Carol Finch (capt), Sarah Dolan. Subs: Lisa Rigney for O'Brien (28); Elaine Finn for Hegarty (37); Edel Marshall for Heslin (44); Laura Halligan for Dolan (53).Referee: Yvonne Duffy (Cavan).