Time runs out on resurgent Westmeath as Wexford take the honours

Wexford 0-15, Westmeath 1-11

The Westmeath ladies suffered unbelievable heartache on Sunday evening, losing out to Wexford in the Leinster Intermediate Football final by a single point at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

The game looked destined for extra-time, but a free inside the final 60 seconds means the trophy is heading to Wexford. The Lake County did have a late, late free 45 metres from goal, but time ran out as their brave second half display just fell agonisingly short.

It was a glorious evening, weather-wise, with a carnival atmosphere inside the ground all day. Louth beat Carlow in the junior final beforehand, which served as the perfect curtain-raiser for this intermediate clash.

Westmeath and Wexford met three weeks ago in a dead-rubber dress rehearsal in McCauley Park, Bellefield. With both sides already assured of a place in the final, Wexford came away as four-point winners.

Frank Browne’s side was unrecognisable for the final however, with seven changes made in total. It was also a new look Wexford, with their team showing five changes from that game.

The sides were also looking different on the field, with both in their change strips – Westmeath in green and navy and Wexford in yellow.

Westmeath were moving the ball well early on and opened the scoring inside 90 seconds thanks to a great score from Sarah Dillon. Aoife Cullen hit right back with a pair of close-range frees for Wexford before Rachel Dillon finished off another lovely score for Westmeath.

Another Cullen free followed before Caoilfhionn Ni Nuallain kicked Wexford’s first score from play. They were ruthlessly efficient and added another point through Chloe Fox.

After quarter of an hour, referee Ray McBride awarded a penalty when Cullen was fouled in front of goal. But Westmeath captain, Lauren McCormack made a fantastic save to deny Catriona Murray.

Murray struck the crossbar moments later but Amanda Power tapped over the rebound as Wexford were looking ominous.

Anna Jones moved the scoreboard for Westmeath, but they were having to work incredibly hard for every score. Wexford’s Kellie Kearney was then sent to the sin bin in the 22nd minute with Sarah Dillon scoring from the resulting free to leave Westmeath just one point behind.

Cullen landed one from play for Wexford before Leanne Slevin kicked Westmeath’s first free of the evening. But a free from Fox seconds before the buzzer left Wexford two points ahead at half time, 0-8 to 0-6.

Westmeath got off to a blistering start after the break with Kelly Boyce-Jordan playing in Ashley Ruane who blasted the ball into the net after barely a minute.

Vicky Carr and Ni Nuallain traded scores from play before Slevin and Cullen traded frees with some great football being played by both teams. Slevin kicked Westmeath further ahead with a couple of frees but Ni Nuallain landed two from play to make it a one-point game with ten minutes left on the clock.

The Westmeath back-line put in a mammoth performance, with numerous last-ditch blocks denying certain scores for Wexford.

Rachel Dillon stood out above all else, producing an outstanding performance. The Milltown player was an incredible source of energy and inspiration throughout, both for her team and the fantastic travelling support inside O’Moore Park.

A pair of frees from Cullen put Wexford in front with five minutes remaining – the first time they’d been ahead since half-time. Anna Jones drew Westmeath level in the 58th minute, but with time running out for Westmeath, Cullen landed yet another free as the lead once again swung back in Wexford’s favour.

The noise was deafening inside the stadium at this point. Westmeath were awarded a free on the Wexford 45-metre line, but the buzzer sounded before they had a chance to make use of it, as the game came to the most dramatic conclusion.

Westmeath have two weeks to shake off the disappointment of this defeat and get back on the training field. There will be very little time to feel sorry for themselves as they begin their All-Ireland Intermediate series in two weeks’ time.

SCORERS - Westmeath: Leanne Slevin 0-5 (four frees), Ashley Ruane 1-0, Sarah Dillon and Anna Jones 0-2 each, Rachel Dillon and Vicky Carr 0-1 each. Wexford: Aoife Cullen 0-8 (seven frees), Caoilfhionn Ni Nuallain 0-4, Chloe Fox 0-2, Amanda Power.

WESTMEATH: Lauren McCormack (c); Laura Kiernan, Mairead Newman, Rachel Dillon; Tracey Dillon, Lucy Power, Fiona Coyle; Vicky Carr, Kelly Boyce-Jordan; Anna Jones, Karen Hegarty, Chloe Kelly; Sarah Dillon, Leanne Slevin, Ashley Ruane. Subs: Lara McCartan for Newman (35), Amy Donlon for Hegarty (41), Caoimhe Clarke McMahon for Fagan (47).

WEXFORD: Sadbh McCarthy; Katie English, Maria Byrne, Amanda Power; Ciara Banville, Aisling Halligan, Sarah Harding Kenny; Róisín Murphy (c), Clara Donnelly; Bebhinn McDonald, Kellie Kearney, Aoife Cullen; Caoilfhionn Ni Nuallain, Chloe Fox, Catriona Murphy. Subs: Grace Donovan for Murray (43), Loren Doyle for Power (58).

REFEREE: Ray McBride (Dublin).