Wexford win dress rehearsal as rematch in final awaits

Wexford 2-7, Westmeath 1-6

Westmeath ladies lost out to Wexford at a sunny McCauley Park, Bellefield last Sunday - but irrespective of this result, the same two teams were already destined to meet again in the Leinster LGFA Intermediate Championship final.

Overall, there was little to be gleaned from what basically amounted to a glorified practice game ahead of their rematch in the Leinster decider on Sunday week, May 19 at O'Moore Park Portlaoise (throw-in 3pm).

In the end, Wexford - who had operated in Division 3 of the National League - completed a perfect three-match run through qualifying, while Division 2 side Westmeath had drawn with Offaly and hammered Wicklow in their previous outings.

Wexford have been keeping scoreboard operators busier over the last few weeks, and Lizzy Kent’s charges could have emerged with a comprehensive victory on this occasion. Indeed, Wexford left five gilt-edged goal chances behind them, with Westmeath going close twice before netting a 54th-minute major from substitute Karen Hegarty to reduce the deficit (2-6 to 1-6). Orlaith Byrne responded with a point to ensure a fully-deserved Wexford success.

In a first competitive meeting since the closing round of qualifying last year – when Wexford also shaded matters (2-7 to 1-7) – the sides shared four points during the opening 16 minutes. Aoife Cullen and Chloe Foxe respectively negated Westmeath scores from Rachel Dillon and Caoimhe Kilmurray. Wexford captain Róisin Murphy brilliantly denied Sarah Dillon a goal during that spell after the home defence had got itself into a bit of a muddle.

The lively Aoife Cullen was also unlucky with a low drive on the town-end goal, before a Sarah Dillon brace lifted Westmeath into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead on 21 minutes.

Then the fingertips of Westmeath ‘keeper Lauren McCormack and the crossbar combined to deny Chloe Foxe a thumping finish to the net as the ball rebounded into play after excellent work by centre-back Aisling Halligan and Róisin Murphy.

Cullen pegged back a pointed free before Clara Donnelly set up a goal chance for young Bébhinn McDonald, who strangely opted against tapping to the net, instead crossing to substitute Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin, whose point-blank attempt was immediately smothered.

But the home side eventually rattled the net in the 30th minute. Ciara Banville and Róisin Murphy linked up before the latter released to full-forward Grace Donovan some 30 metres out, and she showed searing pace when haring through to secure a 1-3 to 0-4 lead. An injury-time response from Westmeath's Caoimhe Kilmurray had the margin down to 1-3 to 0-5 at half-time.

Ciara Roban and Chloe Foxe made it 1-5 to 0-5 eleven minutes into the second-half, with Wexford having been fortunate that Ashley Ruane hammered a Westmeath goal chance off the woodwork on 33 minutes.

Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin was very unlucky not to have found the net in the 42nd minute, having produced a brilliant sidestep to cut inside, only to force a ‘45. That led indirectly to Chloe Foxe extending the lead to 1-6 to 0-5, after she was picked out from the placed ball by Clara Donnelly.

McDonald was rewarded for her efforts on 47 minutes with a sublime goal after neat build-up involving Roban and Banville (2-6 to 0-5).

Frank Browne's side eventually got a second-half score on 48 minutes when substitute Méadbh Monaghan narrowed the margin down to 2-6 to 0-6. But the ladies in purple and gold enjoyed much of the second-half momentum, and substitute Caitríona Murray crashed a shot off the crossbar following a one-two with Clara Donnelly on 50 minutes.

There was an air of the home defence feeling their work was done when Westmeath pounced for a 54th-minute goal, with Monaghan’s cross from the left corner locating fellow substitute Karen Hegarty, who netted to peg the gap back to three points. Orlaith Byrne responded with the insurance point as Wexford struck what hardly amounts to a ‘blow’ ahead of that forthcoming renewal of rivalries.

Interestingly, while Wexford have won the sides’ last two meetings in this championship, the Slaneysiders were crushed 4-19 to 0-6 by Westmeath in the 2021 All-Ireland Intermediate final.

Scorers - Wexford: B McDonald and G Donovan 1-0 each; C Foxe 0-3; A Cullen 0-2 (1 free); C Roban and O Byrne 0-1 each. Westmeath: K Hegarty 1-0; C Kilmurray and S Dillon (1f) 0-2 each; R Dillon and M Monaghan 0-1 each.

Wexford: Erin Carley; Katie English, Maria Byrne, Loren Doyle; Ciara Banville, Aisling Halligan, Sarah Harding-Kenny; Róisín Murphy (captain), Clara Donnelly; Bébhinn McDonald, Tara Doyle, Aoife Cullen; Chloe Foxe, Grace Donovan, Ciara Roban. Subs: Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin for T Doyle (inj., 9 mins); Róisín Hughes for Cullen (H-T); Orlaith Byrne for English (35); Éabha Cullen for Halligan (35); Caitríona Murray for Donovan (48).

Westmeath: Lauren McCormack (captain); Melek Fagan, Kelly Boyce-Jordan, Laura Kiernan; Lara McCartan, Lucy Power, Rachel Dillon; Caoimhe Kilmurray, Tracey Dillon; Ashley Ruane, Philippa Ruane, Rebecca Higgins; Sadbh Gorman, Sarah Dillon, Fiona Coyle. Subs: Caoimhe Clarke-Mahon for Higgins (16 mins); Vicky Carr for T Dillon (35); Karen Hegarty for Gorman (35); Méadbh Monaghan for S. Dillon (43); Sinéad Seery for P Ruane (43).

Referee: Ian Howley (Dublin).