Dowdall rescues deserved draw 10 minutes into added time

Westmeath needed a converted free 10 minutes into added time to salvage a draw against Kerry, in the opening round of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship, at sun-kissed TEG Cusack Park last Saturday.

Kerry led by a point at half-time, 1-2 to 0-4, before Westmeath produced a terrific third quarter to establish a five-point cushion. However, in the 30 minutes that followed (including 10 minutes of additional time) Westmeath managed just three points from placed balls as a resurgent Kerry side refused to wilt in a nail-biting finish.

The protracted period of added time is certainly a talking point and almost nine minutes were played when Kerry were awarded a penalty from which they took the lead. However, there was still time for a wonderful long-range free from Megan Dowdall which rescued a deserved share of the spoils for the Lake County.

Having restricted Kerry to just one score from play, the Lake County will reflect on this first round tie with mixed emotions. They will take plenty of positives as they move into round two and a clash with Laois away from home. Westmeath faced a very tenacious Kerry side and had them in real trouble for long spells, but momentum shifted at a vital stage in the second half and that is what probably cost them victory in the finish.

That, allied to some poor execution in the first half and certainly they will look to work on different aspects of their performance ahead of the second round.

DANGER

Westmeath took the lead in this game when wing back Laura Doherty pointed in neat fashion. However, Kerry were determined and drew level when centre forward Jackie Horgan scored the first of her seven frees.

Westmeath again nudged in front when Denise McGrath converted a free and they had a glorious chance of a goal after 10 minutes: Elaine Finn played the ball inside and Denise McGrath had the opportunity, but her shot lacked sufficient power and Kerry cleared the danger.

Denise then attempted to find the net from a free, but her shot was blocked by the resilient Kerry defence.

Having survived a couple of scares, it was the visitors from the Kingdom who pounced for the game’s opening goal: a shot from wing back Ellen O’Donoghue was initially saved by Fiona Keating, but her clearance was charged down and Kerry’s Aoife Behan bundled home a crucial goal. Jackie Horgan notched another free after 16 minutes, giving Kerry a three-point cushion (1-2 to 0-2).

Derbhail McLoughlin’s strong defensive work led to a Westmeath chance as Aoife O’Malley charged forward and when the midfielder played the ball inside, Elaine Finn earned a free from which Denise McGrath reduced the leeway.

Aoife O’Malley then linked up with Sheila McGrath, who scored a fine point as Westmeath continued their recovery. But Megan Dowdall had a shot blocked and Amelia Shaw missed a chance to level matters. Westmeath were looking the more likely, but they had to survive when Jackie Horgan’s free was batted out by Muireann Scally, who then showed great industry to clear the danger.

TERRIFIC STRIKE

Just a point adrift at the break, Westmeath got level just 16 seconds after the restart as Caoimhe McCrossan fired over a point after the home side claimed possession from the throw-in. Kerry switched midfielder Patrice Diggin to full forward and this left them more exposed in the middle third, where Megan Dowdall was outstanding for the home side.

Five minutes into the second half, Dowdall showed her undoubted class when she raced forward, controlled the ball superbly (bouncing it off the ground and back on to her hurl’) before finding the top corner of the net with a terrific strike.

Now leading by 1-5 to 1-3, Westmeath pressed on. Substitute Hannah Core made a major impact and her point in the 38th minute extended the Lake County’s lead. Hannah then won a free when Aoife Doherty and Aoife O’Malley combined to create a chance and when the ball was moved forward, Denise McGrath converted. Hannah Core’s pace took her clear, creating the chance for her to notch her second point as Westmeath led by 1-8 to 1-3 with 20 minutes of normal time remaining.

Lengthy stoppages for injuries to Sara Murphy and Amy O’Sullivan disrupted Westmeath’s momentum at this stage and after 11 minutes of stop-start action, Jackie Horgan converted a 60-metre free for the Kerry ladies. Another Horgan free narrowed the gap to just three points, but when Hannah Core earned a free, Denise McGrath made it 1-9 to 1-5 in Westmeath’s favour.

Kerry again replied with a Horgan free from 60 metres, but Westmeath almost had a second goal when Megan Dowdall set up Áine Newman, whose shot was tipped out for a ‘45’ by the back-peddling Kerry goalie. Dowdall converted the ‘45’ and Westmeath were leading by 1-10 to 1-6 in the final minute of normal time.

Kerry reduced the leeway as Horgan slotted over a free on the hour mark, but a further 10 minutes were added. Aoife Doherty, Denise McGrath and Amelia Shaw combined to create a goal chance for Áine Newman, who couldn’t get her shot away. Kerry then won another free which Horgan pointed, leaving it 1-10 to 1-8 three minutes into injury-time.

Sheila McGrath’s long-range effort landed short and Westmeath were now under pressure. In the tenth minute of added time, a long ball inside led to a chance for Kerry’s Patrice Diggin, who was fouled, leading to a penalty and a yellow card for Laura Doherty. Diggin held her nerve to send the sliotar past Fiona Keating for Kerry’s second major.

Defeat was looming large at this stage, but Westmeath showed great character and when Hannah Core was fouled 65 metres from goal, Megan Dowdall steeped up and struck over a quality equalising point.

It was a case of mixed emotions at the end, but Westmeath have earned what could prove an important point from this first round encounter.

Scorers – Westmeath: M Dowdall 1-2 (0-1 ‘45’, 0-1f), D McGrath 0-4 (4f), H Core 0-2, C McCrossan, L Doherty and S McGrath 0-1 each. Kerry: J Horgan 0-7 (7f), A Behan 1-0, P Diggin 1-1 (1-0 pen., 0-1f).

Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Jade McKeogh, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Emily McCabe; Aoife Doherty, Muireann Scally, Laura Doherty; Aoife O’Malley, Megan Dowdall; Caoimhe McCrossan, Sheila McGrath, Maria Kelly; Elaine Finn, Denise McGrath, Amelia Shaw. Subs: Hannah Core for Finn (h-t), Áine Newman for M Kelly (54), Darian Corcoran for E McCabe (60+1).

Kerry: Aoife Fitzgerald; Michelle Costello, Sara Murphy, Rachel McCarthy; Aoife Behan, Niamh Leen, Ellen O’Donoghue; Kate Lynch, Patrice Diggin; Áine O’Connor, Jackie Horgan, Caoimhe Spillane; Clodagh Walsh, Anne Marie Leen, Amy O’Sullivan. Sub: Ciara O’Sullivan for C Walsh (24).

Ref: Mick Ryan (Tipperary).