Double strikes from Dowdall and McGrath prove decisive

A goal from the outstanding Megan Dowdall three minutes from the end of normal time finally confirmed Westmeath’s triumph after Derry had threatened a remarkable comeback.

The Lakesiders had led by nine points in the first half after a flurry of goals, but Derry had it back to two in the final quarter before Dowdall’s second green flag settled the tie.

The sharpshooter had taken Derry for 4-4 in the group stages and was dangerous again, finishing with 2-3 on this occasion. She had plenty of support up front in the shape of the experienced Sheila McGrath and lively Hannah Core.

Áine Barton (née McAllister) has long been Derry’s go-to operator in attack and she stood up to the plate once more to drag her side back into it after it looked like they might be overrun in the opening period.

Barton finished with 10 points but it wasn’t enough to reel Westmeath in.

McGrath also hit a brace, the second of which followed an assist by Dowdall which put Westmeath 3-3 to 0-3 fin front.

It seemed as if a lengthy stoppage for treatment to Derry’s wing-back Lauren McKenna, who had to leave the fray, enabled PJ O’Mullan’s charges to reset and a point from Bríd Rodgers – wife of Derry football star Brendan – along with three from Barton reduced the margin to five at half-time.

Derry got to within two in the second half, however, Dowdall’s second goal proved to be the clincher. SCORERS – Westmeath: M Dowdall 2-3; S McGrath 2-0; Amelia Shaw 0-4(3fs); H Core 0-1. DERRY: Á Barton 0-10(5fs, 165); B Rogers 0-3; D O’Kane 0-2; Aoife Shaw 0-1 WESTMEATH: F Keating, E McCabe, J McLoughlin, J McKeogh, M Kelly, Muireann Scally, Á Newman, A O’Malley, M McLoughlin, H Dowdall, C McCrossan, S McGrath, H Core, M Dowdall, A Shaw. Sub: Meadbh Scally for McCrossan (48) DERRY: N Gribbon, A Ní Chaiside, L Lennon, R Donnelly, R Downey, N Quinn, L McKenna, Á McGill, C McEldowney, Á Barton, D O’Kane, B Rogers, O Rafferty, J Donnelly, A Shaw. Subs: M Kerr for R Donnelly (15), C Ní Mhianáin for McKenna inj (26), A Cassidy for J Donnelly REF: C McAllister (Cork)