Denise’s double the difference in Lixnaw

Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship: Westmeath 2-6, Kerry 0-7

Murt Murphy reports

Westmeath, thanks to a goal in both halves by Denise McGrath proved too strong for a gritty Kerry side in this All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship round four game, played in brilliant sunshine on a beautifully manicured Hermitage Park pitch in Lixnaw yesterday.

It was the win that Diarmuid Cahill’s side required to move onto nine points in the group one table and they are now through to the knock-out stages, probably in second spot behind unbeaten Galway, with Kerry qualifying in third place.

Westmeath, who have won three of their four championship games so far, should beat cellar dwellers Laois in their final game on July 2, while Kerry will struggle to topple Galway away from home.

It was a game dominated by defences, with scores hard earned and Westmeath had that bit more experience and a greater threat than a Kerry side who were over reliant on the outstanding Patrice Diggin, now playing at centre back and Jackie Horgan at full-forward, who had retire with ten minutes left due to a serious looking knee injury.

But the player who had the biggest impact on the game was Sheila McGrath (St Munna’s) who played up front despite wearing seven. She really tormented the Kerry rearguard with her pace and ball winning ability and scored two superb points to boot.

Kerry did well at midfield with Aoife Behan and young Ellen O’Donoghue curbing the threat of Megan Dowdall and Maria Kelly and Westmeath never killed off the Kerry challenge as was expected.

Westmeath manager Diarmuid Cahill said that he knew Kerry were going to put it up to his side.

“We knew coming down here against Kerry that it was going to be a very hard challenge. No matter how things are going in the championship, coming to play a side in their home ground is difficult,” the Tipperary native said.

“Kerry are a very strong side on the up and we knew this was not going to be easy. Look we came down here and we got the win and that is all that mattered, and as I said to the girls, the winning margin doesn’t matter. We needed the win and we got the win but Kerry made it very difficult for us.

“Kerry are a fine side coming into this game after three wins in a row and we didn’t perform to our true potential today, the fact is that Kerry did not allow us to perform and defensively they are very strong. They deserve to be in the top three and they will make it hard for any county going forward.

“They have some fine hurlers and Patrice would hold her own in any company so we are glad to have won. We need to improve going forward and we will show Laois the respect they deserve in our final game”

The first quarter was a real arm wrestle with both sides cancelling each other out before Sheila McGrath opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a poor Kerry puck-out. Kerry responded with a fine point from long range from Amy O’Sullivan a minute later.

But Westmeath struck for a 15th minute goal when a long ball from Laura Doherty into the corner saw a Kerry defender slip and allow Elaine Finn collect and pass inside to Denise McGrath who found the Kerry net.

Sheila McGrath almost scored a second but Emer Lawlor saved and from the ’45’, Megan Dowdall made it 1-2 to 0-1 but the rest of the half was a real physical battle and only one score was added when Megan Dowdall converted a free for a foul on Sheila McGrath as Westmeath retired 1-3 to 0-1 in front.

Jackie Horgan scored a superb point from the wing as Kerry began the second half well but the game changing moment came in the 34th minute when a slide rule pass from precocious wing back Laura Doherty sent Elaine Finn through and with the Kerry fullback line marked absent, Denise McGrath was all on her own as she scored her second goal. Louise O’Connor then fired over a point and Westmeath were on their way, leading 2-4 to 0-2.

But Kerry fought back outscoring Westmeath 0-5 to 0-2 for the rest of the contest with Patrice Diggin (now hobbling) adding three points, Jackie Horgan adding a free and Caoimhe Spillane adding a point.

But the goal they needed never came as Sandra McGrath, Laura Doherty and Muireann Scally defended stoutly and keeper Fiona Keating caught some great ball under her crossbar.

Megan Dowdall (free) and Sheila McGrath added fourth quarter points that were enough to see Westmeath escape to victory.

Scorers – Westmeath: D McGrath 2-0, M Dowdall 0-3, (2f, 1 ’45’), S McGrath 0-2, L O’Connor 0-1. Kerry: P Diggin 0-3 (2f, 1 ’45’), J Horgan (0-2, 1f), A O’Sullivan and C Spillane 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Sandra McGrath, Emily McCabe, Róisín Scally; Laura Doherty, Muireann Scally, Aoife O’Malley; Maria Kelly, Megan Dowdall; Olivia Glynn, Sheila McGrath, Caoimhe McCrossan; Emma Broughan, Denise McGrath, Elaine Finn. Subs: Louise O’Connor for Glynn (20), Aisling Egerton for R Scally (52), Úna Leonard for Finn (56), Karen Gaffney for D McGrath (58), Chloe Butler for McCabe (58).

Kerry: Emma Lawlor; Elaine Ryall, Sara Murphy, Michelle Costello; Rachel McCarthy, Patrice Diggin, Áine O’Connor; Aoife Behan, Ellen O’Donoghue; Amy O’Sullivan, Kate Lynch, Danielle O’Leary; Caoimhe Spillane, Jackie Horgan, Edel Slattery. Subs: Katie O’Dwyer for Edel Slattery (h-t), Julianne O’Keeffe for Kate Lynch (54), Ciara Moloney for J Horgan (inj., 54),

Ref: Cathal McAllister (Cork).

Player of the match: Sheila McGrath (Westmeath).