‘Every weekend you’re hoping to improve’ - Finneran

They may have scored seven goals and eight points, but speaking after the game Westmeath manager Michael Finneran was of the view that his side could have been more clinical in their finishing against Laois in the league on Sunday.

“We probably feel we left a good bit behind us on the scoreboard but the initial reaction is that we played with some savage intensity from the girls and we are delighted with it all.”

After narrowly losing at the death to Tipperary in the first round of matches, Finneran was pleased with the response from his charges.

“Ah listen we’re still in January and, please God, we will go well again next weekend – every weekend you’re hoping to improve a bit on the last weekend.

“In our first game last week there were a few mistakes but overall we were very happy with their effort and again today. And listen sometimes the ball bounces your way when going for goals and other times it doesn’t but we’re happy with the way we are going at the moment.”

Debutant Mary Dunne was one of the standout performers in the Westmeath defence. Finneran says that he's happy how his squad is shaping up for the season ahead.

“It’s great to see Mary in her first start today. She did very well but so did all the girls, I don’t want to single any one out. The big thing also was I’ve never seen a team with so many subs in the second half as we had – there’s great cohesion throughout the team and that, for me, is probably the most satisfying thing for me at the end of it all.”