Westmeath ladies have no answer to dominant Cork

Cork 3-12, Westmeath 0-5

By Ger McCarthy

Westmeath were outclassed by Cork in their opening Lidl LGFA National League Division 2 fixture of the season at Páirc Uí Rinn last Saturday.

Three first-half goals set the Rebels on their way to a merited victory. Despite a much improved second-half showing, Westmeath’s inability to convert two goal chances or make little headway against Cork’s defence meant there would only be one outcome.

Despite the loss, Westmeath manager Frank Browne was pleased with the positive manner in which his side responded to a 3-7 to 0-2 interval deficit. Westmeath were the better team during an attritional third quarter and kept their senior grade opponents to five points in the second period.

“Cork, in the middle of the first half, got their ten minutes and absolutely punished us with probably 2-4 or 2-5 and left us reeling,” Browne admitted.

“It would have been very easy for us to ask 'where are we going with this at all?' We came in at half-time and regrouped. We focused on trying to set ourselves up and I think we put in a really good third quarter.

“If we are to have ambitions and going on to do things in the intermediate championship, these are the games you want to be playing. Going up against the very best. We spoke, for the last three or four weeks, embracing coming down to Cork and testing ourselves.

“We are going back very positive about today. We probably missed two goal chances which would have put a better shine on the final score.”

A difficult opening half for the visitors began with the concession of a goal inside two minutes. Westmeath’s defence was opened up by Máire O’Callaghan and Katie Quirke for dual star Libby Coppinger to force the ball over the line.

Another Cork dual player, Hannah Looney, landed a brace of long range points before Aimee Corcoran made it 1-3 to 0-0 after 10 minutes. Amid awful weather conditions, the visitors got on the scoreboard when Phillippa Ruane raised a white flag after 11 minutes.

Their opponents’ response was swift, however, as Emma Cleary split the posts to restore the Rebels six-point advantage. With Cork dominating in every sector of the pitch, Katie Quirke raced clear and found Libby Coppinger to net her second goal of the afternoon.

Worse was to follow for an overworked Westmeath defence when Hannah Looney goaled and Aimee Corcoran pointed shortly after. Abbie O’Mahony and Anna Jones (a free) exchanged scores before Coppinger retired injured.

Chloe Smullen (who also plays for Peamount United) missed from close range and Anna Jones punched an effort inches wide as Westmeath finally began to ask questions of their opposing defence. Katie Quirke’s free sent Cork in 14 points clear at the interval. Credit to Westmeath, who were on top in the third quarter and repelled a succession of Cork attacks. The half-back line of Megan Ennis, Lucy Power and Fiona Coyle steadied the ship with Pip Ruane and Vicky Carr scoring either side of an Emma Cleary effort.

It took three consecutive Katie Quirke frees to restore Cork’s authority but, once again, the Leinster side forced a series of turnovers. Anna Jones landed a free to make it 3-11 to 0-5 with 10 minutes to go. Another Quirke score solidified Cork’s victory during a closing period which saw both managers emptied their respective benches.

“Please God, on the first Sunday in August, we are going to be on Croke Park playing in an All-Ireland final the same day as Cork and have a few beers together after,” said Frank Browne.

“We made a decision to train throughout our league campaign and use that as a place to learn. We want to test ourselves against the very best. That’s exactly what we are doing,” he added.

Scorers - Cork: L Coppinger 2-0, H Looney 1-2, K Quirke 0-5 (4f), A Corcoran, E Cleary 0-2 each, A O’Mahony 0-1. Westmeath: P Ruane, A Jones (2f) 0-2 each, V Carr 0-1.

Cork: Sarah Murphy; Katie Horgan, Shauna Kelly, Siobhán Callanan; Emma Cleary, Sarah Leahy (captain), Rosie Corkery; Máire O’Callaghan, Aoife Healy; Abbie O’Mahony, Hannah Looney, Aimee Corcoran; Laura O’Mahony, Libby Coppinger, Katie Quirke. Subs: Leah Hallihan for L Coppinger (inj, 24 mins), Amy McDonagh for A O’Mahony (47), Sadhbh McGoldrick for A Healy (51), Dara Kiniry for K Horgan (54), Kaitlin Smith for L O’Mahony (57), Abigail Ring for H Looney (59).

Westmeath: Amy Donlon; Lara McCartan, Sarah Murphy, Ayesha Roche; Megan Ennis, Lucy Power, Fiona Coyle (captain); Tracey Dillon, Vicky Carr; Phillippa Ruane, Anna Jones, Francesca Walshe; Caoimhe Kilmurray, Grainne Byrne, Chloe Smullen. Subs: Chloe Kelly for M Ennis (23 mins), Caoimhe Clarke McMahon for P Ruane (47), Eabha Cassidy for G Byrne (54), Therese Geoghegan for A Jones (54).

Referee: Raymond McBride (Dublin).