Misfiring Westmeath denied by determined Offaly side

Offaly 2-10, Westmeath 1-8

It began in high spirits in front of strong support in TEG Cusack Park but ended in despair as Westmeath were defeated by Offaly by five points on Saturday afternoon last in a mix of clear skies and showers. Despite another fine individual tally from Clonkill’s Megan Dowdall, the missed opportunities for Pádraic Connaughton’s charges were the major difference overall.

The intermediate season now ends for the maroon county having come out with wins over Clare and Wexford. Defeat today, combined with a narrow opening-day loss to Cork and Galway’s strong win in Athenry means a fourth-place finish with the top three going through. Westmeath opened proceedings with the same side which were strong victors over The Banner the previous week. It was Offaly who came out of the blocks first, winning several ground rucks following Clodagh Leahy’s opening-minute free. Dowdall levelled almost instantly in what would go on to be a stop-start affair removing any opportunity for the almost-inevitable blitz beginning from Westmeath.

A Leahy free dropped short as Westmeath somehow escaped with Raharney duo Anna Weir and Jade McKeogh clearing when an Offaly goal seemed certain. Caoimhe McCrossan went down injured but remained on as Leahy added another free. Caoimhe McCormack, in her debut season at senior, burst through to find Dowdall but her effort was saved by Leah Gallagher. From the ensuing advantage, Dowdall levelled. Joint-captain Grace Teehan put Offaly ahead again as McCrossan was replaced, unable to shake off a shoulder issue.

Dowdall levelled from a placed-ball on eighteen minutes when McCormack was unceremoniously dumped to the ground. Within the following sixty-seconds, Offaly fired 1-1 through Becky Bryant’s point and Teehan’s low effort to the net. Dowdall was having none of it, however, and a long-ball into space from Amelia Shaw found the half-forward who managed to rifle to the roof of the net despite having three Offaly defenders around her near the endline. The rain arrived to make conditions tricky but Offaly went in at the break ahead 1-7 to 1-6. Leahy’s two frees either side of an Áine O’Connor point were met with replies from two Dowdall placed balls.

One solitary score came in the opening quarter of the second-half courtesy of a Leahy free – a harsh call on Áine Newman who was deemed to be overcarrying despite being sandwiched by several Offaly players and outstretched hurls. With Caoimhe McCormack seemingly playing every position, help was needed from others. But some of the basics were not sticking for the home side with nerves playing a part also.

The Lake County were given a chance to take the lead just after the 45th minute when Sheila McGrath was dragged down on the run, resulting in a penalty. Unfortunately, Megan Dowdall saw her penalty effort go to the right and wide. Westmeath, however, were having the upper hand in possession but not utilising it to the best of their abilities. The Division 2A champions hitting unforced wides when calm was needed. Offaly then punished with a Mairéad Jennings free to extent the lead to three. Bearing down on goal in search of the leveller, Megan Dowdall was hauled down by Leahy and had to settle for a free, which she pointed.

With Offaly taking excessive time over frees and stoppages, the clock was against Connaughton’s troops. The killer blow was dealt as the clocked ticked to the final minute. Substitute Gráinne Kennedy raising a green flag before the final point in the sixth minute of stoppage time ending affairs. 9 scores from 23 shots probably telling the tale for Westmeath as the season ends in disappointment following the superb showing to take the league title earlier.

Scorers - Offaly: C Leahy 0-5 (frees), G Teehan, G Kennedy 1-1 each, Á O’Connor, M Jennings (f), B Bryant 0-1 each.

Westmeath: M Dowdall 1-7 (5f), A Shaw 0-1.

Offaly: Leah Gallagher; Ciara Ryan, Cathy Fogarty, Orla Gorman; Orlagh Phelan, Áine O’Connor, Kaitlyn Kennedy; Sharon Shanahan, Clodagh Leahy; Ellen Regan, Mairéad Jennings, Grace Teehan; Becky Bryant, Faye Mulrooney, Fianait Dooley. Subs used: Alana Roddy for K Kennedy (30+3), Gráinne Kennedy for Ryan (42), Elizabeth Harding for O’Connor (59), Leah Gath for Jennings (59).

Westmeath: Anna Weir; Laura Doherty, Julie McLoughlin, Jade McKeogh; Maria Kelly, Caoimhe McCormack, Muireann Scally; Aoife O’Malley, Caoimhe McCrossan; Hannah Core, Amelia Shaw, Megan Dowdall; Holly Dowdall, Sheila McGrath, Meadbh McLoughlin. Subs used: Áine Newman for McCrossan (13, injured), Meadbh Scally for Core (42), Emily McCabe for Kelly (49), Ava Balfe for M McLoughlin (59)

Referee: Enda Loughnane (Galway).