Westmeath girls face Cavan in first home league game

Westmeath are set to play Cavan in round 4 of the Lidl National Football League Division 2 on Sunday next and as we reflect on their start to the season, a win would definitely be significant.

Westmeath captain Lauren McCormack is looking forward to the game and agreed it's important for the team to get another victory on the board. Already, they have played three away games, losing to Tyrone and Donegal, but getting a coveted victory over Monaghan.

"It's a big game and I feel we have a long history against Cavan and it's nice to have a home game against them after the bit of travelling we have had to endure for the first three games," she said. "It's definitely great to get a home game at this stage.

"Division 2 is always very competitive: you have senior teams involved (we are currently an intermediate one). We have a lot of new players coming on to the panel so it's good to get some of the younger girls involved. The likes of Lara McCartan and Caoimhe Kilmurray have got a taste of it and it's great to see them getting game time. Getting at least one win was good: we have played against three very competitive Ulster teams in Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal, who are very hard to beat especially when you are travelling away to them. The performances have been encouraging and we are happy with them.

"We showed great character against Tyrone in the second half having not started well. It was the same against Donegal and I don't think the scoreline reflected how well we played in the first half. We were also playing in difficult conditions, with strong winds and heavy rain, which were a factor and took from the football element of it."

Lauren is involved with the squad for the past five years and is really enjoying it.

"It's great, yes, a big commitment, but you get out of it what you put in. I feel there is a really good buzz about the place this year. The management and the girls involved are quite happy and we are gelling quite cohesively, which is great. While it is a big commitment and takes a lot of time, when you spend it around people you enjoy spending time with, it doesn't really feel as much of a commitment as it might be. When you love what you work at, it doesn't really fell like you are working at all," she said.

Frank Browne is in his first season at the helm and Lauren and the players are enjoying with the former Mayo boss.

"He has some very good people around him. He's quite a charismatic man himself and his positivity is quite infectious. He has pushed everyone on a little bit and it's always good getting a new perspective. You always pull bits and pieces from each manager and he's obviously had a very long career coaching various teams. He was with Mayo ladies also so he does have that level of experience in the game which we can draw from and he knows exactly how to get the bounce out of people, which is fantastic," remarked Lauren.

On the planned centre of excellence the Westmeath captaining is welcoming the recent confirmation that land is to be purchased for six new pitches and a range of other important facilities.

"Absolutely, we are very much welcoming the news. You need to get access to pitches and gyms nowadays and if we can do that at a centralised location it would be fantastic. I don't know if it’s something I will see in my career, or the other girls with me at present, but certainly going forward for younger players growing up it will something that will bring on Westmeath football an awful lot," she remarked.

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Westmeath started their Lidl NFL campaign with a disappointing 2-9 to 1-7 defeat to Tyrone. Under a change of management, with Roscommon's Michael Finneran having departed after last year, the side never seemed able to grasp control away from a youthful Tyrone squad. Tyrone started the game in dominant fashion, finding themselves six points clear after only 20 minutes.

With the gale wind and rain of storm Isha lashing down in Newtownstewart, Westmeath struggled to find a footing and despite a late penalty from Leanne Slevin that flattered the scoreline, Westmeath never really threatened Tyrone.

However, the ladies bounced back with a hard-fought 4-10 to 2-13 victory over hosts, Monaghan in the second round of the competition.

Monaghan came out strong with a goal from Sarah Tierney within the first 10 seconds of the game. And two points from Tierney and Eabha Sherry put Monaghan a comfortable five points ahead.

Nonetheless, Westmeath heads never dropped. Leanne Slevin secured five points and Rachel Dillon and Karen Hegarty slotted in two goals to give Westmeath a 4 point lead going into the second half.

Despite two yellow cards within a minute of each other, that forced Westmeath to finish the game with 13 players, the team showed admiral resolve, seeing out the game and bringing life to their season.

However, the ladies couldn’t celebrate for long as just over a week later they faced a hungry Donegal side attempting to recover from a loss to Kildare.

By the 25th minute a steady flow of points opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead to Donegal, with deficit stretching to four by the end of the first half.

Though the Westmeath ladies threatened late in the game through a goal from Vicky Carr, a defiant response from Susanne White sealed a deserving win for a competent Donegal outfit.

Now the ladies look forward to a chance at redemption against a Cavan team attempting to set their season back on track after a 3-12 to 0-3 thrashing against Kildare.

Previously, Cavan had an opening loss to Tipperary and a competitive win against Laois.

With both teams sitting on a 1-2 record, the stage seems set for a close match between two sides desperate for their second victory.

The Westmeath side that played Donegal was: Lauren McCormack (captain), Laura Kiernan, Lucy Power, Lara McCartan, Chloe Kelly, Fiona Coyle, Rachel Dillon, Kelly Boyce Jordan, Vicky Carr, Ashley Ruane, Anna Jones, Caoimhe Clarke McMahon, Karen Hegarty, Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon. Subs: Sarah Dillon, Meabh Monaghan, Mairead Newman, Sadhbh Gorman.