Westmeath camogie manager Diarmuid Cahill. Photo: Martina McGilloway

Cahill: ‘We have a lot to improve on’ after Galway defeat

While commending the gutsy display of his charges against a strong Galway side, Westmeath camogie manager Diarmuid Cahill was still disappointed that the visitors had emerged victorious in last Saturday afternoon’s All-Ireland intermediate contest at sun-drenched TEG Cusack Park.

Galway ran out 1-15 to 0-11 winners, leading 1-8 to 0-1 at half-time after being spurred on by an early goal from Cora Kenny.

“Galway are a very fine team and we knew that coming in here. It really was a game of two halves. We’ve a lot to improve on,” the Tipperary man opined after Saturday’s game.

“We’re down a few players. We have a few injuries and a few are away. One of the girls, her grandfather’s gone to hospital and we wish him all the best.

“We’re still a strong unit together and we’re looking forward to next week, but we’re always going to be disappointed with any kind of loss. We’ll just have to regroup on Tuesday night and get focused for next weekend.”

The Lake County bainisteoir added: “We weren’t too far behind at half-time, but we didn’t really push on in the second half. Their five players who came on were very strong as well. We were ready for the challenge but, unfortunately, it wasn’t in our favour this week.

“Our own stats are good, in fairness. There’s good feedback from it and there are lots of positives from today. I’ll always praise all the girls who are here and those that are away. There’s a serious effort from the squad.”

Games are coming thick and fast in this competition. “We have to learn from our mistakes when we play Carlow here next Saturday. We’ll rebuild for it. I’ll get the video later on and have a look at it over the weekend,” Cahill concluded.

Westmeath take on Carlow in their third consecutive home game at TEG Cusack Park this Saturday, with the throw-in at 5pm, with a trip to Lixnaw to face Kerry the following weekend.