Ruane goal key as Westmeath keep survival hopes alive

Westmeath 1-14, Roscommon 1-10

A brilliantly taken goal by Ashley Ruane helped to propel Westmeath to victory over Roscommon in a very entertaining affair at Ballynacargy GAA grounds last Sunday.

With victory needed by Frank Browne’s charges to give them any hope of survival in Division 2 for next season, the Lake County put together a fantastic performance both defensively and in attack to take the points and ensure that the battle to avoid the drop goes to the wire. The result means that Westmeath, Clare, Roscommon and Tipperary all go into the last round of games next weekend knowing none are guaranteed safety yet.

Aoife Temple of Athlone replaced Amy Donlon in goals while Susana Buckley (Mullingar Shamrocks) came in for Ayesha Roche in late changes to the home side. Roscommon also saw goalkeeper Caoimhe O’Reilly step aside for Helena Cummins, while key forward Róise Lennon also did not start.

It was a trademark point from Vicky Carr off the throw-in that got Westmeath firing and, following wides at either end, it took some magic from Sarah Dillon to double the lead five minutes later. Roscommon, looking to build from a sluggish start, hit three points without reply. Aisling Hanly fired two before Laura Mannion’s free put them ahead.

Westmeath replied with five unanswered scores. Two from play from Anna Jones bookended the other three from Ashley Ruane, Sarah Dillon and a free by Jones. Roscommon were given little option but to make an early change as the impact of Jones was proving too much to handle for their defence.

After Caoimhe Lennon hit the post for Roscommon, Jones punished them with two more frees to push the gap out to six, 0-9 to 0-3. The half-time score was 0-10 to 0-5 as scores from Mannion (a free) and Hanly came either end of Vicky Carr’s lovely point. Aoife Temple made a late save before the whistle to keep Roscommon out.

Early points in the second half from the excellent Caoimhe Kilmurray and Dillon extended Westmeath's lead. Even when Mannion’s free got Roscommon off the mark in the half, Dillon was able to cancel it out moments later. Susana Buckley was having a fine game and all on the sideline could see that her first-half role was to keep Niamh Watson quiet. The Mullingar Shamrocks defender did it to aplomb with Watson being subbed.

Even with Roscommon growing somewhat into the game, Westmeath seemed determined not to let it slip (unlike manager Browne who lost his footing to much laughter on the sideline!). Kilmurray teed up Ashley Ruane for a lovely score and when the Loughnavalley player added a great goal shortly afterwards, it looked as if the contest was done and dusted, Westmeath now 1-14 to 0-6 ahead with less than a quarter remaining.

Ruane's goal would be the last score for the home side. Roscommon substitutes Ella Thompson and Marian Nolan (St Brigid's) proved very effective during their time on the pitch. Thompson pointed before she assisted a Nolan point and, with seven minutes left on the clock, Megan McKeon buried the ball to the Westmeath net.

Further scores from Nolan and a Hanly free brought it back to four points but with time very much against Finbar Egan’s side, Westmeath were able to hold out and take the valuable points to ensure the last round of games will be vital for several teams.

Westmeath are at home to Monaghan in Ballynacargy on Sunday (throw-in 2pm), while Roscommon host Tipperary at the same time in St Croan's GAA.

Player of the match: Anna Jones (Westmeath) takes the accolade. She scored 0-5, provided leadership and even helped out her defence at the end.

Scorers – Westmeath: A Ruane 1-2, A Jones 0-5 (3f), S Dillon 0-4, V Carr 0-2, C Kilmurray 0-1. Roscommon: A Hanly 0-4 (2f), M McKeon 1-0, L Mannion 0-3f, M Nolan 0-2, E Thompson 0-1.

Westmeath: Aoife Temple; Lara McCartan, Sarah Murphy, Susana Buckley; Chloe Gonoud, Lucy Power, Fiona Coyle; Tracey Dillon, Vicky Carr; Ashley Ruane, Anna Jones, Pip Ruane; Gráinne Byrne, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Sarah Dillon. Subs used: Ayesha Roche for P Ruane (38), Méadbh Monaghan for Byrne (inj., 45).

Roscommon: Helena Cummins; Ella Thompson, Ellen Irwin, Megan Kelly; Megan McKeon, Saoirse Wynne, Ria Lennon; Abby Curran, Lisa O’Rourke; Shannon McGuinness, Laura Mannion, Niamh Watson; Aisling Hanly, Gráinne Lohan, Caoimhe Lennon. Subs used: Niamh Feeney for Lohan (18), Shauna Fitzmaurice for Kelly (h-t), Ella Thompson for Watson (h-t), Marian Nolan for O’Rourke (35), Rachel Brady for Irwin (45), Aimee O’Connor for Lennon (47), Rósie Lennon for McGuinness (53), Ciara Quinn for Curran (60).

Referee: Raymond McBride (Dublin)