The Downs overcome St Joseph’s to reach semi-final

The Downs 3-9, St Joseph's 0-6

A convincing victory from The Downs sent them through to the final-four of the Westmeath Senior Ladies Football Championship for 2025 at the expense of St Joseph’s of Streamstown in Shandonagh last Thursday evening. It was the directness of running which yielded 2-8 from play of the 3-9 for the winning side as Francesa Walsh rattled in 1-4 inside the opening thirty. St Joseph’s did plug away but were often stuck in a cauldron of black and amber jerseys with little room to turn let alone find a key pass, such was the hounding from Aisling Egerton and co in The Downs' defence.

It was Francesca Walsh who got the ball rolling for her side with a beautiful score off her left foot. The opening kickout from Áine Maxwell was a sign of things to come for Joseph’s as the swarm of Downs jerseys on the loose ball pounced and but for the legs of Maxwell, Olivia Glynn would have had a goal at the near post. From the resulting 45, Joseph’s were caught out again as Beth McGuire laid off to Walsh and the midfielder launched her second point. Before the 5th minute, Walsh had three and, yet again, it was another off that trusty left side. Joseph’s were struggling to get out of their half but when they did, they brought their own threats in Síle Kearney and Sinéad Robbins.

It did take until the quarter hour for the girls in green to score and it was Robbins who obliged with a neat finish. From a score at one end, The Downs broke with pace from the kickout. Niamh Rowan found Sheila McGrath and the result of her run was a penalty to The Downs. Walsh stepped up and although her effort was not well struck, it was enough to hit the net, and the score was 1-3 to 0-1. The score soon became 2-5 as Beth McGuire and Walsh added points before a high shot from Britney McNamee went into the net over Maxwell’s head. At the break, The Downs were firmly ahead by 2-5 to 0-3 as Síle Kearney and Robbins managed to grab two quality scores before the whistle.

St Joseph’s remained on the field for half-time discussions and came out with more intent in the second thirty, but there was little in terms of error from The Downs rearguard. From the throw-up, McNamee pointed and the sense of deja vú reigned around as the floodlights came on. St Joseph’s, through Sinéad Robbins, found another point with a strongly fired point. While Aisling Egerton, goalkeeper Shauna Conneely, and others at the back were intent on maintaining their clean sheet and the turnover from Egerton set The Downs away on another break. This time, full-back, Lauren Guilfoyle, wandered forward to point before the third Downs goal came with a quarter remaining. The McNamee’s, Emily and Britney, worked to move Sheila McGrath into space and the forward blasted to the top-corner. Joseph’s did put together some positive moves in the final ten minutes and were rewarded with points from Robbins, one from play and one from a free. The Downs, however, did not want to be seen to lie down themselves and Ciara Dolan ensured they kept ahead in the final minutes.

Scorers – The Downs: F Walsh 1-4 (1 pen), B McNamee 1-1, S McGrath 1-0, B McGuire 0-2 (1f), C Dolan 0-1, L Guilfoyle 0-1.

St Joseph’s: S Robbins 0-5 (2f), S Kearney 0-1.

The Downs: Shauna Conneely; Aisling Egerton, Lauren Guilfoyle, Aoife Rowan; Gemma Faulkner, Amy Dagg, Rebecca Mullooly; Niamh Rowan, Francesca Walsh; Olivia Glynn, Katie Heffernan, Niamh Rowan; Beth McGuire, Sheila McGrath, Britney McNamee. Subs used: Emily McNamee for Glynn (43), Annie McDonald for Mullooly (47), Ciara Dolan for Heffernan (53).

St Joseph’s: Áine Maxwell; Keelin Robbins, Orla Robbins, Ellie Conway; Joyce Conway, Kayla McDonnell, Claire Conlon; Shannan Lehane, Aoife Keegan; Lauryn McDonnell, Sinéad Robbins, Karen Keegan; Síle Kearney, Laura Conlon, Caoilinn Elliffe. Subs used: Niamh Kearney for Lehane (23), Ciara Daly for L McDonnell (31), Emer Killian for L Conlon (42), Molly Russell for S Kearney (44), Leanne Daly for Keegan (57).

Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).