Emphatic Lake county win sets up camogie showdown against Offaly

Westmeath will take on Offaly in a crucial game in the intermediate camogie championship next weekend and they’ll go into the contest in a positive frame of mind after an emphatic victory over Clare last Saturday.

Manager Padraic Connaughton was pleased with the display, but is acutely aware of the challenge Offaly pose.

“It's do or die. We played them in February in St Loman's and there was nothing in it. We were brilliant in the first half; they were brilliant in the second-half. But we should build nicely from today. We're looking forward to it,” he remarked.

Connaughton praised his side’s attitude following Saturday’s victory.

“They really wanted it today. Look, we put it to them - today was D-Day; if we lost today we really were out. We wanted to see the real Westmeath today and I think we nearly saw it.

“In fairness, I thought we were a little bit wasteful, but heart wise, passion wise, hunger wise, you couldn't ask for any more,” he observed.

“We got off to a flying start. We probably should have scored more in the second half, but the tempo was higher. I'd say the composure was better as well. And we were more ruthless. You know, we're back to our league form where we're ruthless in front of goal and we're trying to get goals and listen, we will need that the next day.”

Megan Dowdall, with a hat-trick of goals led the Westmeath charge.

“She's been on fire all year, and she's closely marked as well,” noted Connaughton.

“But I thought, in fairness, the other forwards chipped in as well.

“We got a lot of ball in there and that's the important thing from the half back line, midfield and half forward line. But she'll finish all day, you know, she's a finisher.”