Shaw and McGrath goals propel Westmeath to victory over Offaly

Westmeath recorded a fine victory over Offaly in the Leinster Senior camogie quarter-final, at St Rynagh’s GAA grounds, Banagher last Saturday.

This was a noteworthy success for the Lake County, who have been working extremely hard to drive standards upwards on the camogie scene in recent years. They certainly seem to be making progress and victory over Offaly at this level is definitely a boost to all involved.

Diarmuid Cahill’s Westmeath side led by 2-3 to 0-5 at half-time having produced a wonderful second quarter in which they scored 2-2 in a 10-minute spell. Amelia Shaw, whose long-range free dropped into the net and Denise McGrath both scored vital goals as the Westmeath girls gave Offaly plenty on which to ponder at the interval.

The second half brought more positive indicators from Westmeath and they were still six points to the good at the end of the third quarter. Offaly staged a determined comeback but it fell short against a stubborn Westmeath defence and while one goal was conceded at the end of normal time, the visitors did enough to take the spoils.

Victory means they will face Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final next Saturday at TEG Cusack Park in what should be a great occasion.

DETERMINATION

Westmeath were forced to dig really deep for this victory as Offaly took the lead with a pointed free from Lisa Gorman after seven minutes. It was a very evenly contested opening quarter and both defences were generally in command.

Offaly went two points clear when Siobhan Flannery pointed a free from 65 metres and they applied strong pressure on the Westmeath defence at times. However, a pointed ‘65’ from Amelia Shaw got Westmeath motoring in the 14th minute and it was a score that injected renewed belief into Diarmuid Cahill’s side.

While Offaly established a lead of 0-4 to 0-1 thanks to Becky Bryant’s 16th minute strike (after she won a long delivery against two Westmeath defenders), followed by Sarah Harding’s minor on 22 minutes, it was not a case of having things all their own way. Megan Dowdall was unlucky to see her effort go wide, while Muireann Scally’s excellent delivery from a sideline ball led to a chance for Denise McGrath, only for the Offaly defence to clear the danger.

There were further signs Westmeath could flourish: Aoife Doherty’s long lengthy delivery led to the Offaly ‘keeper parrying and the home side were perhaps fortunate that Denise McGrath didn’t get to the ball. Then came a wonderful score, started and finished by Megan Dowdall.

The midfielder latched on to a clearance from Julie McLoughlin and ran at the Offaly cover before linking up with Amelia Shaw and sending over a lovely point.

Dowdall was excellent in the air and Maria Kelly’s fine catch also kept the pressure on the home side, while Dearbhail McLoughlin’s determination in defence shone through.

While Lisa Gorman put the Faithful County three points clear again after 28 minutes with a score from 60 metres, Westmeath refused to wilt. A long-range free from Amelia Shaw found its way to the Offaly net, with Denise McGrath lurking in the danger area and that seemed to unsettle the home side.

The lively Aoife Doherty shot clear to point and give Westmeath the lead for the first time (1-3 to 0-5) with three minutes of added time played. There was still time for a second Westmeath goal as Sandra McGrath linked up with Denise McGrath on the edge of the square and her powerful shot found the net.

MOMENTUM

Westmeath began the second half in similar mode. They pushed five points clear when Sandra McGrath shot the opening score inside the first minute and it put the visitors in a strong position.

Offaly hit back impressively as Siobhan Flannery shot a long-range point from the stand side of the grounds, but after the Westmeath defence stood strong, Hannah Core broke clear to score a crucial point.

Fine work by centre back Sheila McGrath led to her winning a free as Offaly continued to struggle to find a way through. Amelia Shaw’s accuracy from frees gave Westmeath a six-point cushion (2-6 to 0-6) by the 37th minute.

An Offaly free dropped short and Westmeath survived as the ball went wide via an outstretched hurl’. The home side missed a further chance when Derbhail McLoughlin seemed unlucky to be penalised as she attempted to break out of defence.

There was a ruck ball scenario from which Aoife O’Malley emerged to win a free and it typified the spirit of the Westmeath girls.

But Offaly were not about to bow out tamely. Centre forward Rachel Brennan cut in to score a great point and it seemed likely to be a key moment. However, Becky Bryant was well blocked by Aoife O’Malley.

Offaly attacked again and Orla Gorman and Rachel Brennan combined to set up Sarah Harding for a fine score. The home side had momentum and were growing in confidence.

A Sarah Harding free brought the lead back to three points by the 54th minute and it was all to play for. At the other end, Denise McGrath sent Hannah Core clear but her effort found the side netting.

Then came an inspirational score from Westmeath centre back Sheila McGrath, who got forward beyond midfield and struck a lovely point. At 2-7 to 0-9 with six minutes remaining, Westmeath were in a great position.

Offaly finished the game strongly as they went in pursuit of their opponents. A strong run by centre back Alana Roddy led to a chance for Sarah Harding, but her shot was well saved by Fiona Keating before Westmeath won a free to clear the danger. The visitors were almost through at the opposite end moments later, but Denise McGrath’s path was blacked twice as the Offaly defence shut down the space very quickly.

On the hour mark, Offaly got the goal they had been threatening to deliver. Westmeath’s Jade McKeogh seemed to be in control of the situation, but she got isolated and it led to a turnover from which Sarah Harding fired a low shot past Fiona Keating to the Westmeath net.

That left just a point separating the sides, but it was as close as Offaly got. Westmeath held firm to book their place in the semi-final against Kilkenny next Saturday in TEG Cusack Park (12.30pm).

SCORERS - Westmeath: A Shaw 1-2 (1-1 f; 0-1 65’), D McGrath 1-0, M Dowdall, A Doherty, S McGrath, H Core and S McGrath 0-1 each. Offaly: S Harding 1-3 (0-1f), L Gorman 0-2 (1f), S Flannery 0-2 (1f), B Bryant and R Brennan 0-1 each.

WESTMEATH - Fiona Keating; Jade McKeogh, Julie McLoughlin, Dearbhail McLoughlin; Muireann Scally, Sheila McGrath, Laura Doherty; Aoife O’Malley, Megan Dowdall; Aoife Doherty, Amelia Shaw, Caoimhe McCrossan; Maria Kelly, Sandra McGrath, Denise McGrath. Subs: Hannah Core for McCrossan (inj., 8), Shannon Dalton for Kelly (h-time).

OFFALY - Leah Gallagher; Louise Mannion, Orlagh Phelan, Sarah Walsh; Orla Gorman, Alana Roddy Amy Byrne; Gráinne Dolan, Sinead Moore; Niamh Killen, Rachel Brennan, Lisa Gorman; Siobhan Flannery, Sarah Harding, Becky Bryant. Subs: Clodagh Leahy for Killen (45), Hannah Feenane for Gorman (47), Labhaoise Glynn for Flannery (51), Siobhan Killeen for Byrne (inj., 56).

REF - Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).