Westmeath battle back to draw with Donegal
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2
Westmeath 1-6 Donegal 0-9
A last-gasp free from Anna Jones earned Westmeath ladies a share of the spoils against Donegal at Páirc Chiaráin, on Sunday afternoon.
The Tír Chonaill ladies looked set for victory when they responded to Westmeath's goal (also scored by Jones) with two points from the impressive Susanne White, putting them 0-9 to 1-4 ahead with six minutes remaining.
However, a spirited Westmeath side kept plugging away and were rewarded when Jones added to an earlier pointed free from substitute Méadbh Monaghan.
Having drawn away to Clare in the opening round, Donegal’s starting XV had four changes from the listed line-up, with Feena McManamon, Laoise Ryan, Jodie McFadden and Tara Rose Mahon all drafted in from the start.
Donegal led by 0-4 to 0-1 at half-time, but Westmeath enjoyed plenty of possession only to be let down by wasteful shooting.
In a contest played in sunny conditions, the players had to contend with a heavy pitch which was hardly surprising in early February. It was a rare occasion for Westmeath to play a competitive senior fixture at Páirc Chiaráin, with Athlone GAA doing an excellent job in hosting the game.
Donegal's Katie Dowds began the scoring inside the opening 30 seconds after being set up by midfielder Rhiana McColgan. If this early point suggested a high scoring encounter was in store, it did not materialise.
After three early wides from Westmeath, a fisted point by White increased Donegal's lead. Pip Ruane finished off a well worked move to send over Westmeath's opening score, but this was the only time the home side caused a white flag to be raised in the first half.
The influential Dowds contributed Donegal's third point and, in added time at the end of the opening period, Jodie McFadden sent over another from the right via the far upright.
Jones (a free) and McFadden swapped points shortly after the restart. Although Westmeath teenage prodigy Caoimhe Kilmurray lifted her side with a sweet left-footed score, Donegal still led by 0-7 to 0-3 by the 41st minute thanks to a brace from White (one free).
Another Kilmurray point boosted home supporters and Donegal suffered another blow when McManamon was sent to the sin bin on a yellow card. The wayward shooting that afflicted Westmeath in the first half was an issue for Donegal in the second.
With Donegal now down to 14 players, Westmeath struck for an opportunist goal in the 49th minute. Méadbh Monaghan's point attempt dropped short but Jones followed the flight of the ball and got a flick to divert it past Donegal goalie Clare Friel. Referee Angela Gallagher consulted with her umpires before the goal was confirmed with the raising of the green flag.
The goal from the Mullingar Shamrocks player was a key moment as it looked unlikely that Westmeath would be able to match Donegal on the scoreboard via points alone.
James Daly's charges were now under a degree of pressure but with White to the fore - scoring a brilliant point from play under pressure and adding a free - they looked like they would hang on for a narrow win.
Yet those Monaghan and Jones points secured a draw for Frank Browne's side, who had suffered a heavy defeat to Cork in their first outing.
The Westmeath camp was surely pleased with a draw afterwards, but they could have even snatched victory had Vicky Carr not been denied a late goal by Donegal netminder Clare Friel at the expense of a ‘45’.
What's next: Westmeath will be at home to Clare next Sunday, with Athlone GAA set to host the game once again (throw-in (2pm).
Scorers - Westmeath: A Jones 1-2 (0-2 frees); C Kilmurray 0-2; P Ruane and M Monaghan 0-1 each. Donegal: S White 0-5 (2f); K Dowds and J McFadden 0-2 each.
Westmeath: Aoife Temple; Lara McCartan, Sarah Murphy, Ayesha Roche; Chloe Kelly, Lucy Power, Fiona Coyle (captain); Tracey Dillon, Francesca Walshe; Philippa Ruane, Anna Jones, Caoimhe Kilmurray; Vicky Carr, Rebecca Higgins, Chloe Smullen. Subs: Méadbh Monaghan for Smullen (half-time); Megan Ennis for Ruane (48 mins).
Donegal: Clare Friel; Shauna McFadden, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Evelyn McGinley; Tara Rose Mahon, Niamh Boyle, Niamh Carr; Roisin Rodgers (captain), Rhiana McColgan; Laoise Ryan, Katie Dowds, Feena McManamon; Jodie McFadden, Susanne White, Eve Gallagher. Subs: Mia Bennett for J McFadden (43 mins); Cait Gillespie for Ryan (48); Julie Trearty for S McFadden (50); Niamh Harkin for McManamon (56); Leeza Cunningham for Gallagher (58); Amy Porter for Mahon (60).
Referee: Angela Gallagher (Meath).