Browne bemoans Westmeath finishing but is happy with attitude

Westmeath ladies football manager Frank Browne rued the missed opportunities on his side's part as he reflected on last Sunday's narrow defeat by Cavan.

Despite the setback of the 1-4 to 0-6 defeat, Browne was keen to look at many positive aspects of the Westmeath performance, but he felt greater composure was needed in front of goal.

"There are a lot of positives from the game. But we scored six out of 22 (chances) and you're not going to win the game, you're not going to win an argument scoring six out of 22. We need to work on our finishing," said Browne.

"We dominated, no more than in the first 20 minutes two weeks ago when we dominated the game against Donegal; we just didn't turn that into scoring chances.

"I think we looked efficient in our backs; we were doing the right thing. There's no secret, we have been playing with plus one all the time (in defence); the plus one was really working. We also look at the plus one as an attacking threat - 'when we get the ball, let's break at speed'. We probably didn't do that efficiently enough in the first half, certainly in the second half we did with the runners coming on the shoulders. In the second half too, Cavan had to come out and come at us a little bit and that sort of gave more space," observed the former Mayo manager.

"Fitness wise, our application, our work rate, all of that stuff was really good. Our attitude was good. We just need to convert that. When we look back now, we maybe could have got something out of the Tyrone game, and maybe should have got something out of Donegal last week. We did get something out of Monaghan. We’re learning and we’re growing each day.

"Now we have three games that we need to get something out of. We’re really, really disappointed, but fair play to Cavan. They got their chances and took them; we got our chances and just didn’t take them.

"The story of this game is just missed chances. We said to the girls at the very beginning we can't guarantee we’ll win leagues or Leinster titles; of course, we're going to try to do that, but we’re going to go on a great journey and that's what we're doing," Browne continued.

Browne was also keen to praise the commitment of the Westmeath players.

"I think they’re brilliant role models, brilliant ambassadors for any club around the county. Have a look at these girls, they’re superb role models; they work hard, they train hard. They’re honest; they’ve all the characteristics you want in a team and we're having a great time. If we could just win now, we’d be away with it," he added.