Second half goals ensure superb Westmeath victory

Westmeath 3-13, Offaly 3-5

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Westmeath minor ladies footballers captured the Leinster ‘C’ football title with an impressive display at Baltinglass GAA grounds on Saturday where they repeated their earlier victory over neighbours Offaly.

A tour de force by the prodigious Katie Kilmurray was key to the outcome as Ken Berry’s charges proved too strong for the Faithful County. Westmeath progressed to the All-Ireland semi-final in July following this eight-point victory, made possible after a blistering start that saw them outscore Offaly 1-4 to 0-2 in the first quarter.

Despite playing into the teeth of a strong breeze, Westmeath didn’t sit back and their positive game plan reaped its reward. While Offaly rallied superbly to score three goals and lead by 3-3 to 1-7 at half-time, the Lake County regained control. The elements played a definite part and the three Offaly goals came from long-range efforts that were carried to the roof of the net, putting Westmeath on the backfoot for a spell.

The winning margin didn’t reflect Offaly’s overall contribution to a highly entertaining encounter and they missed a couple of scoring chances at the start of the second half that could have put a different complexion on the game. Crucially, Katie Kilmurray swooped for a 35th minute goal to wrestle back the lead and Westmeath were never again headed, scoring an unanswered 1-4 in the final quarter to put the seal on a memorable victory.

Afterwards, Aoife Keegan accepted the cup from Arthur Corrigan, Leinster LGFA president and the celebrations began.

“We are so proud of this group of players, they have worked extremely hard for this victory. It's a reward for their great dedication and there are very talented players involved. They will have a break now for exams and then the focus will turn to the All-Ireland semi-final - that has been the target from the start of the year,” said delighted manager Ken Berry, who paid tribute to his backroom team and all the parents.

Westmeath struck the first blow just two minutes in, when Kilmurray curled over a well-taken point against the breeze. Offaly, aided by the elements, responded through a pointed free from Rachel Donagher, after Ella Cuskelly was fouled.

Westmeath put serious pressure on the Offaly kickout and Shannon Breslin led a high press that forced errors from the opposition.

Kilmurray quickly edged Westmeath back in front with another point from play, following a slick move from defence, before adding a free to stretch the lead. The game's first major arrived after eight minutes when Kilmurray finished to the net after Kate Stuart Trainor’s strong run and Shannon Breslin’s final pass. The goal opened up a 1-3 to 0-1 advantage.

Momentum was with Westmeath and Kilmurray tagged on another free, but Offaly kept in touch through Cuskelly's pointed free. At the end of the first quarter, Westmeath were five points clear.

Offaly responded emphatically in the 22nd minute when Una O’Brien rifled a high, powerful shot to the back of the net after good work from Kara Daly, narrowing the deficit. Westmeath answered immediately with another excellent score, Kilmurray finishing after a fine move involving Rebecca Ward and Aoife Keegan.

The momentum swung further towards Westmeath when Offaly were reduced to 14 players in the 26th minute, Tegan Daly receiving a yellow card and a 10-minute sin-bin for an infringement.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Offaly battled bravely and Cuskelly again showed her accuracy, converting a free after Lucy Flynn and Katie Doolan combined smartly to create a chance.

Westmeath’s response was swift and stylish: after a flowing move involving Katie Kilmurray and Shannon Breslin, the latter showed great composure to split the posts.

However, it was Offaly who finished the half stronger. In the 30th minute, Cuskelly netted Offaly’s second goal, her attempt at a point dipping into the top corner after Úna O’Brien’s clever pass.

Just a minute later, Offaly struck again, this time Lucy Flynn finding the roof of the net with a thunderous effort, after Michelle Dunne’s pass, dramatically turning the game on its head.

Westmeath had the final say of an absorbing half, when Katie Stuart Trainor pointed following a smart build-up involving Elizabeth Carey and the ever-dangerous Kilmurray. After a breathless and high-quality opening half, Offaly were two points clear.

Westmeath wasted no time after the restart and almost struck immediately when Rebecca Ward released Katie Stuart Trainor, but the latter's effort was fired wide inside the opening 20 seconds. Offaly had their moments early in the second half too, but they failed to capitalise: Úna O’Brien struck the upright and Ella Cuskelly was off target with a free inside the opening minutes.

Westmeath made them pay in the fifth minute with a superb team goal. A sweeping move involving Rebecca Ward, Aoife Keegan, Katie Stuart Trainor and Katie Kilmurray cut through the Offaly defence. Trainor provided the decisive final pass and Kilmurray coolly finished low to the net to restore Westmeath’s advantage.

Cuskelly responded with a pointed free for Offaly on ten minutes, but Westmeath kept their composure. Kilmurray added a free shortly after, maintaining her excellent scoring form.

Offaly, to their credit, continued to battle. A fine move involving Cuskelly and Lucy Flynn ended with Flynn clipping over a point on 13 minutes. However, Westmeath’s dominance in general play began to tell. Kilmurray clipped over another free after a foul on 15 minutes to extend the margin once more.

Goalkeeper Emily Nally preserved Westmeath’s advantage with a key save in the 18th minute, diving smartly to her right to deny Flynn a goal after a strong Offaly move.

Moments later, Westmeath moved further clear when Sarah O’Sullivan surged forward after gathering a long ball up the right wing from Stuart Trainor and coolly pointed after an impressive solo run. With momentum firmly with the home side, Katie Kilmurray added another point after good combination play by Shannon Breslin and O’Sullivan. Westmeath’s fitness and sharpness told in the closing stages. Aoife Keegan broke through with a powerful run and linked up with Breslin, who duly pointed to stretch the lead further.

Elizabeth Carey then set up Katie Stuart Trainor for another score, before Stuart Trainor produced one of the highlights of the afternoon. After taking a precise pass from Áine Bracken, she burst through the Offaly defence and finished with a brilliant goal to put an emphatic seal on Westmeath’s second-half dominance.

Scorers - Westmeath: K Kilmurray 2-8 (0-5f), K Stuart Trainor 1-2, S Breslin 0-2, S O’Sullivan 0-1.

Offaly: E Cuskelly 1-3 (0-3f), L Flynn 1-1, U O’Brien 1-0, R Donagher 0-1 (free).

Westmeath: Emily Nally; Rebecca Ward, Lucy Brogan, Áine Bracken; Aoibhinn Berry, Muireann Donohue, Orla Collins; Charlotte Butler Clyne, Aoife Keegan; Sarah O’Sullivan, Rachel Murphy, Kate Stuart Trainer; Elizabeth Carey, Shannon Breslin, Katie Kilmurray. Subs: Grace Shortall for O Collins, Lucy Allen for C Butler Clyne, Orla Collins for S O’Sullivan.

Offaly: Áine Macken; Isobel Claffey, Sasha Coleman, Amy Evans; Ava Grennan, Laura Condron, Tegan Daly; Kara Daly, Éabha Mai Tierney; Rachel Donagher, Lucy Flynn, Úna O’Brien; Faith McDermott, Katie Dolan, Ella Cuskelly. Subs: Michelle Dunne for R Donagher, Polly Duffy for A Grennan, Chloe Molloy for A Evans, Kayla Fleming for E Cuskelly.

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin).