Lake ladies finish strong against battling Breffni

Very Camogie League

Westmeath 2-9

Cavan 0-6

After struggling for a pitch in the current inclement weather, Raharney became a home venue for Cavan last Saturday in this final game of the league, played in mixed conditions and indeed with mixed fortunes for both sides.

Cavan fought bravely throughout but were never really looking likely winners, while Westmeath, who led by two points at the break, huffed and puffed for long periods before they finally wore down their opponents for what was a more than flattering nine-point winning margin. Manager Diarmuid Cahill suggested that the league was a learning curve and using upwards of 30 players allowed him the opportunity to assess where Westmeath were and that the greater carrot was the championship which is fast approaching.

Westmeath finished excellently and the subs made a huge contribution, but they will know that they will need to up the ante if they are looking for summer silverware, while for Cavan it’s back to the drawing boards after a very successful 2021.

Westmeath started the brighter with Amelia Shaw pointing a free inside of three minutes, but the game became disjointed thereafter for a period with neither side gaining control until Meadbh Scally doubled the advantage with a super point from a narrow angle. Aoife O’Malley added a third after a short free,with Sheila McGrath, but that was the last score for almost 12 minutes as Shanice Fitzsimons and Sinead McKenna pulled two back for Cavan.

The Breffni girls had a bit of a purple patch but Megan Dowdall stopped the rot with an excellent team point for Westmeath. Shaw added another free just before the break, but after a very disappointing first half the Maroons led by 0-5 to 0-3. The highlight of that first half was an excellent display from Cavan goalie Emma Mulvaney whose shot stopping and delivery were top drawer.

WONDER SAVE

Westmeath started with more purpose on the resumption but again could not penetrate a stubborn and resilient Cavan rear-guard until 5 minutes in when a long Megan Dowdall delivery was caught by Denise McGrath, who slotted home the opening goal. It came after she was denied with an initial effort by another Mulvaney wonder save and she stopped another goal bound effort moments later which lifted a wilting Cavan Challenge.

Roisin O’Keeffe, and two from former Westmeath player Sinead McKenna had the gap back to a goal as Cavan really dug in and began to make this a really tight contest. Denise McGrath was denied by another brilliant Mulvaney save, but this time she managed to flick over the rebound superbly and added another moments later after a rare mistake by the Cavan defence to ease Westmeath nerves.

The game was as good as settled when another long Dowdall delivery was finished marvellously to the net by sub Elaine Finn and in truth it tore the life from Cavan.

Late points from Sheila McGrath and Denise McGrath gilded the lily as Westmeath finished with a wet sail, but Hannah Fitzsimons finished the scoring with the final point of the game after a field long move. It was mere consolation as Westmeath cruised to a well-deserved, but hard-fought victory.

Scorers - Westmeath: Denise McGrath 1-3, Elaine Fin 1-0, Amelia Shaw 0-2 (2 frees), Sheila McGrath, Aoife O’Malley, Megan Dowdall and Meadbh Scally 0-1 each

Cavan: Sinead McKenna 0-3, Hannah Fitzsimons, Roisin O’Keeffe and Shanice Fitzsimons 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Jade McKeogh, Julie McLoughlin, Dearbhail McLoughlin; Laura Doherty, Sheila McGrath, Muireann Scally; Aoife O’Malley, Megan Dowdall; Maria Kelly, Shannon Dalton, Amelia Shaw; Denise McGrath, Meadbh Scally, Maisie Currams. Subs: Hannah Core for Kelly (H/T), Elaine Finn for Meadbh Scally (38 mins), Ava Balfe for Currams (46 mins).

Cavan: Emma Mulvaney; Sarah Clarke, Erinn Galligan, Lorraine O’Rourke; Aideen Coyle, Rosie Crowe McKeever, Sophie Slowey; Josephine Maguire, Hannah Fitzsimons; Joanne Moore, Roisin O’Keeffe, Sinead McKenna; Emer Fitzpatrick, Shanice Fitzsimons, Christina O’Reilly. Subs: Ana Sheanon for Slowey (58 mins).

Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).

Examiner’s Eye on the game

Player Of the Match

Sheila McGrath (Westmeath): Mulvaney in the Cavan goals must get a mention as does Galligan, Crowe McKeever and O’Keeffe, but Westmeath had fine displays from the Mcloughlin’s, Laura Doherty, O’Malley and Dowdall in midfield, while Denise McGrath’s 1-3 was a fabulous return. Indeed the subs added the extra dimension, but Sheila McGrath was super throughout and led from the back with great grit and determination and she gets the nod here.

Improvement needed

For long patches Westmeath struggled against a resolute and physical Cavan defence and the final ball was poor in the extreme at times, but they kept plugging away and showed great patience to eventually wear Cavan down. With the introduction of the subs, especially Balfe and Finn, they looked far more threatening and possibly their superior fitness levels, too stood to them, but they will know that performances like this will not be enough come the business end of the championship and must now ready themselves for that challenge.

Next up

The league is over and Westmeath will take on Laois in the first round of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship on May 27/28. They are in group three alongside Laois, Meath and Kerry.