Westmeath too strong for gallant Garden
WESTMEATH 3-22 WICKLOW 0-05 THE fact that Westmeath recently contested the Leinster Intermediate camogie final while Wicklow reached the Leinster Junior camogie final should provide ample explanation for the 3-22 to 0-05 score line from the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Junior championship meeting between the sides in Pearse’s Park in Arklow last Saturday afternoon.
A superior unit in terms of striking, foraging, link play and general skills of the game, the Westmeath women were never in any danger in this tussle even though the home team never once threw in the towel and created some half decent chances.
However, even though the score line might accurately proclaim the gulf between the two teams but it does nothing to testify to the battling performance from the Wicklow team who had a number of really good showings on what was a difficult day for the flagship camogie team who will only benefit from coming up against quality outfits like these.
The half-time tally of 1-08 to 0-02 for the Westmeath side was probably a fair reflection on the opening half played in pleasant sunshine and in front of a small but vocal crowd but it did little to highlight the amount of ball dropped short by the home side.
Wicklow were hit with an early blow when Pamela Greville had grabbed the only goal of the opening half. The full-forward collected a dainty ball from the very impressive Denise McGrath and had won the foot race against Wicklow’s Kellie Byrne before lashing home across the goal to the top corner of the Garden county net. It was a stunning goal from a very capable camogie player.
Wicklow had opened the scor- ing through talented midfielder Laura Manley but from then on it was Westmeath who took charge of the affair. The home side did create plenty of chances and some decent play but they dropped numerous balls short to Fiona Keating in the opening half and were shut out by a stubborn Westmeath defence.
Westmeath’s threat was revealed in the next few moments. Fiona Keating caught a dangerous high ball from a dropping Laura Manley free and cleared well. Westmeath worked the ball up the field, Wicklow cleared but Westmeath came calling again and a long ball was gathered by Wicklow goalkeeper Bernie Byrne who attempted a kick to safety with Louise O’Connor and Pamela Greville in close proximity. The kick didn’t go to plan and Louise O’Connor was on hand to kick into the back of the net but somehow her effort saw the ball rise up and over the bar from about four yards out.
The Westmeath goal followed and another point before Wicklow grabbed their second, and last, point of the half through a Laura Manley free.
From here, Westmeath powered on. Points from Dinah Loughlin (2), Denise McGrath (2), Pamela Greville, and Louise O’Connor opened up the 1-08 to 0-02 lead at the break.
Victory was assured five minutes into the second half when Greville fired home to the back of the net for her second after Wicklow had coughed up possession further up the field. That made it 2-12 to 0-02 and from here on in it was a canter for Johnny Greville’s side as they tapped over some really excellent points to run out really convincing winners.
Another of the Westmeath stars on the day, Dinah Loughlin, bagged the visitors’ third goal after 25 minutes when she poached possession and fired home. It was only fitting for the corner-forward who finished with 1-05 (three frees).
Laura Manley accounted for two more of Wicklow’s tally of five points with substitute Niamh McCormack adding a superb score of her own after 18 minutes of the second half.
There were strong performers all over the field for Westmeath, from Fiona Keating in goals to the aforementioned Loughlin at corner-forward. Pamela Greville was superb, Denise McGrath was very useful out around the half-forward line and there were strong showings from Joanne McCormack, Muireann Scally, Fiona Leavy and Katie Layde to name but a few.
Wicklow worked hard all over the field but the benefits of playing camogie at a higher grade were there for all to see throughout this game.
A convincing win for Westmeath while Wicklow will learn plenty from this game and will go forward in this competition which will provide great experience for a promising young panel of players.
Scorers – Westmeath: Dinah Loughlin 1-05 (3f), Pamela Greville 2-04, Louise O’Connor 0-04, Denise McGrath 0-04, Hannah Core 0-03, Aoife Boyle 0-01, Aoife Doherty 0-01.
Wicklow: Laura Manley 0-04 (2f), Niamh McCormack 0-01.
Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Sarah King, Edel McCormack, Julie McLoughlin; Katie Layde (18), Fiona Leavy (Capt); Aoife Higgins (22); Joanne McCormack, Muireann Scally; Mairead McCormack, Denise McGrath (17), Meabhe Scally; Louise O’Connor (27), Pamela Greville, Dinah Loughlin. Subs: Laura Doherty for M Scally (25min); Hannah Core for J McLoughlin (HT); Aoife Doherty for M Scally (HT); Aoife Boyle for Denise McGrath (40min); Niamh Horan for K Layde (44min).
Wicklow: Bernie Byrne, Nora O’Neill, Kellie Byrne, Shannagh Goetelen; Sarah Forde, Lisa Hogan, Clare Grace; Laura Manley, Sile Whelan; Laura Hogan, Shauna Keogh, Chloe Dwyer; Sarah Byrne, Aoife Weir, Sheenagh Byrne. Subs: Aisling Shannon for L Hogan (45min); Niamh McCormack for C Dwyer (45min); Sarah Tallon for C Grace (45min); Aoife Corcoran for S Forde (48min).
Referee: Kieran Kelly