Westmeath back to winning ways as Clare put to the sword
Westmeath 4-13, Clare 1-6
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The Westmeath camogie team that overcame Clare on Saturday at TEG Cusack Park.Image 2 of 8
Rachel Kelly of Clare tries to block down Sheila McGrath (Westmeath).Image 3 of 8
Pictured right, Westmeath manager Pardraic Connaughton on Saturday.Image 4 of 8
Meadbh McLoughlin, Westmeath, gets away from Caoimhe Ryan (Clare).Image 5 of 8
Westmeath’s Holly Dowdall plays a pass during the game.Image 6 of 8
Megan Dowdall in action for Westmeath in Saturday’s victory.Image 7 of 8
Caoimhe McCormack, Westmeath, is challenged by Aisling Moloney (Clare).Image 8 of 8
Amelia Shaw, Westmeath, about to come under pressure from Regan Conway (Clare).Westmeath were back to their flying best as they blitzed Clare with an attacking performance reminiscent of their league-winning form a few months ago, thanks in no small part to 3-6 from Megan Dowdall. With the home team needing victory to get their hopes of getting out of the groups alive, the maroon army made sure there was no doubting their credentials. In front of an average attendance in TEG Cusack Park, the rain had little impact on what was a hard-fought and often physical encounter.
Clare arrived to Mullingar off the back of a similar few games to their hosts, albeit with glaringly inferior scoring differences. Ironically, the Banner overcame Galway (who defeated Westmeath) but suffered defeat to Offaly before a crushing against Cork did their side no benefit. Pádraic Connaughton made some changes to his starting side with Jade McKeogh in place of Emily McCabe while last weeks debutant, Caoimhe McCormack, was named at centre half-back. Crookedwood star, Muireann Scally, operated in midfield despite wearing seven.
A moments silence was observed nationwide to mark the passing of GAA legendary broadcaster, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. With both sides lined as per programme, it was Clare who had the chance to strike first but Aisling Cooney saw her scoreable free go wide. Westmeath took full advantage rattling four points in four minutes. Lovely build-up involving Sheila McGrath, Meadbh McLoughlin, and Caoimhe McCrossan allowed Muireann Scally to fire over. Hannah Core then struck two superb long-range points from play either side of Megan Dowdall’s 45’. Clare responded with one of their few periods of positivity with Cooney (two frees) bookending a goal from Ella Cahill – the green-flag the only score from play for the visitors in the entire game.
Not to be outdone, Padraic Connaughton’s side responded the only way they know how. Firstly, Muireann Scally pointed on fifteen minutes before Megan hammered home goals number one and two inside fifty seconds of each other. The second a thing of beauty as the Clonkill star found the far corner of the net from an angle. Leading 3-5 to 1-2 and still not yet twenty-minutes in, a more determined Lake County looked for further scores. Cooney’s free reduced the deficit somewhat five minutes later. Great defensive work by Laura Doherty and Caoimhe McCormack teed up Dowdall who was fouled. The free-scoring forward dusted herself off to chip the free over. McCormack added her name to the scoreboard, cleverly tapping over after Core saw two goal-bound efforts saved by Sophie Cullin in the Clare goal. With goals on their mind, McCormack was next to try her luck but her run was abruptly ended by Sinéad O’Keeffe who hauled her down outside the square. The Leinster rugby star well used to such rough hits with the oval ball. The Clare captain fortunate to end the game after further fouls later in the contest went unpunished. At the break, Westmeath in the driving seat, 3-8 to 1-3.
The second-half was more stop-start at times with substitutions and injury slowdowns. Following Megan’s fourth placed-ball with the first effort, it was Anna Weir who had to be alert at the opposite goals. The Raharney keeper doing well to clear Cooney’s free which dropped into the danger-zone. The Clare physicality levels rose the more the game got away from them. Westmeath introduced Meadbh Scally with twenty to go and immediately had a goal chance which went awry. Caoimhe McCormack required treatment and a new helmet before Megan and Cahill exchanged frees.
With the game unlikely to have any dramatic turnaround, Connaughton introduced Róisín Scally (replacing injured Muireann), Emma Broughan, Ava Balfe, and Aisling Egerton, who all impacted in different positions. Balfe teamed up with Megan and McGrath to allow the St Munna’s forward point. The hat-trick goal for Megan came in stoppage time. The move began with Maria Kelly (who was outstanding) clearing from the back to Meadbh Scally. He lovely pass into space allowed Megan do what she does best as her pre-game tally of 18-35 this season increased even further. Cullen in the Clare goals had no chance as the sliotar nestled in the top corner. McGrath ended the scoring as Westmeath set up a winner-takes-all shootout against neighbours, Offaly, in Mullingar next weekend.
Scorers - Westmeath: M Dowdall 3-6 (4f, 1 45’), H Dowdall 1-0, M Scally, H Core, S McGrath 0-2 each, C McCormack 0-1.
Clare: E Cahill 1-3 (3f), A Cooney 0-3 (frees).
Westmeath: Anna Weir; Laura Doherty, Julie McLoughlin, Jade McKeogh; Maria Kelly, Caoimhe McCormack, Muireann Scally; Aoife O’Malley, Caoimhe McCrossan; Hannah Core, Amelia Shaw, Megan Dowdall; Holly Dowdall, Sheila McGrath, Meadbh McLoughlin. Subs used:
Clare: Sophie Cullen; Rebecca Crowe, Rachel Kelly, Bonnie Wiley-Murphy; Caoimhe Ryan, Sinéad O’Keeffe, Jennifer Nicholas; Eimear Begley, Aisling Moloney; Aisling Cooney, Regan Conway, Mary Hanrahan; Aoibhinn McNamara, Ella Cahill, Olivia Phelan. Subs used:
Referee: Jerome McAllister (Antrim)