Athlone to host Westmeath ladies’ duel with Donegal

Athlone GAA's Páirc Chiaráin grounds will host the LGFA National Football League Division 2 home fixture for Westmeath ladies versus Donegal next Sunday, February 2, throw-in 2pm.

Westmeath will be looking to bounce back from a tough opening fixture away to Cork last Saturday.

The Lake County squad includes Athlone goalkeeper Aoife Temple and the host club is hoping that a big crowd comes out next Sunday to support the team.

Despite the heavy defeat to Cork last Saturday, Westmeath manager Frank Browne believes the squad will learn a lot from taking on such formidable opposition.

“We came in at half-time and regrouped. We focused on trying to set ourselves up and I think we put in a really good third quarter,” he said.

“If we are to have ambitions and going on to do things in the intermediate championship, these are the games you want to be playing. Going up against the very best. We spoke, for the last three or four weeks, of embracing going down to Cork and testing ourselves.

“We are going back very positive about today. We probably missed two goal chances which would have put a better shine on the final score,” Browne added.

It hasn’t been common for Westmeath fixtures to be played in Athlone so a large crowd will be welcome to support the Westmeath ladies on what is the St Brigid’s Day bank holiday weekend. Entry is free for all under-12s to LGFA National League fixtures.

*See report on the Cork vs Westmeath here