Westmeath denied by Meath in U23 camogie opener

Meath 0-12, Westmeath 0-7

On a historic afternoon in Joristown, Raharney GAA last Saturday, Meath took the spoils against Westmeath in the first-ever round of the All-Ireland U23 Championship following a five-point win.

The inaugural tournament offers camogie players between 18 and 23 an opportunity to find additional opportunities with their county in this new format.

It was Meath who led by four points at the interval and they were strong enough to fend off Westmeath’s strong comeback efforts, and denying the home side a goal was crucial to the outcome.

Weather conditions were humid to start with in Raharney to start the game, but with some threatening clouds on the horizon as Westmeath were led out by their three mascots for the day, Lisa, Laura, and Lucy Scally from Delvin Camogie. It took a minute or so for both teams to settle into the game, but Meath were awarded the first free, and Emma Hanifin obliged with the score. Westmeath responded well and were it not for Meath ‘keeper Amy Lawless, Orlaith Winter would have scored a goal for the home side.

Westmeath’s cause was not helped when, after only three minutes, Kirsty Fivey was forced off due to an injury. A Shannon Dalton free levelled the game soon after. Early in the game, it was evident that Westmeath’s Darcey Ryan was performing solidly in the half-back line alongside captain Becca Ruane. Ryan was involved in the next goal chance, but Elisha Gavigan could not find the net as Meath survived another scare.

Despite Meath being ahead by a point, Westmeath were applying most of the pressure in the opening 10 minutes, creating more scoring opportunities, while the maroon defence stood firm at the other end. The home side were threatening to score a goal, and when substitute Donna Weir found the net, it looked as if the green flag had arrived, only for the officials to decide there was a square ball infringement, and the score was ruled out.

Meath took advantage of the let-off by striking a ‘45’ through Hanifin after Courtney Carroll in the Westmeath goal pulled off the first of a string of fine saves. The Royal County scorer, Hanifin, continued her exploits with another score as the visitors found their form.

After having another score denied by the uncertainty of the umpires, Westmeath did get one through Shannon Dalton to reduce the deficit. Meath upped the tempo, and their captain, Lauren Woods, added a further point before forcing Carroll into another save. With five minutes to go until half-time, Westmeath produced countless attacks, but Meath held strong and kept them at bay. A late Shannon Dalton free in the rain meant the half-time score saw Meath lead by 0-7 to 0-3.

The second half began with Westmeath increasing the energy, epitomised by multiple blocks by Becca Ruane. Amy Boyle did find a route to a score for Meath and despite going for the net, Carroll was on hand to tip it over for a white flag. Crookedwood’s Anya Boyle found a lovely point from play to keep Westmeath in it with the sun back out.

Chances came and went for both sides as the scoreboard remained low, but the entertainment was evident among those in attendance. Elisha Gavigan and Caitríona Flynn got on the scoresheet with a well-taken score, but Meath remained six ahead, heading to the final five minutes. Despite the Westmeath efforts, Meath held on for victory, securing the points on the opening weekend of the new competition.

Meath: Amy Lawless; Alannah Brady, Hazel O’Reilly Higgins, Mia McCann; Ciara Mulligan, Katie Mulchrone, Rebecca Horan; Alex Donoghue, Sarah O’Brien; Liz Lawless, Lauren Woods, Amy Boyle; Kate Fadden, Emma Hanifin, Emma O’Neill. Substitutes/rest of panel: Jessica Cronin, Isabelle Killoran, Rachel Mulligan, Shiofra Deegan, Amanda Feeney, Leah Dixon, Chloe Morris, Orla Flynn, Mae Fahy, Edel Halton, Leah Doherty, Lara Lacey, Anna Carey, Clíodhna Ward.

Westmeath: Courtney Carroll; Emer Jackson, Ciara Gately, Ciara Higgins; Darcey Ryan, Becca Ruane, Tara Geraghty; Phoebe Bate, Alice Dilo; Anya Boyle, Caitriona Flynn, Elisha Gavigan; Orlaith Winters, Kirsty Fivey, Shannon Dalton. Substitutes/rest of panel: Donna Weir, Jessie Ginnell, Áine Ní Dhaibhéid, Rebecca Daly, Kate Gaffney, Hannah Kelleghan, Jessica Cullen, Donna Weir, Aimee Henry.

Referee: Ciarán Groome (Offaly)