Second-half goals give Down victory over Westmeath

Down 2-11, Westmeath 1-5

Two second-half goals from Down forward, Paula O’Hagan, gave the northerners victory in the Very National Camogie League Division 1B Round 2 clash against Westmeath in Raharney GAA last Saturday.

The home team were on par with their more experienced opponents at the break but, after being reduced to 14 players, the maroon outfit could not withstand the impact of the Down forwards, particularly O’Hagan, who finished with 2-4 to her name.

Things began well for Westmeath as Caoimhe McCrossan pointed the first of her own tally of five frees for the day early in the game before Aimee McAleenan did likewise for her team from a 45. Caoimhe McCormack had the distance from her own 65 with the wind at her back but was wide of the mark. McCrossan won the resulting puckout and following a foul on her, the Lough Lene Gaels player was able to double her free count.

Defending well through Julie McLoughlin, Emily McCabe, and Katie Penrose, Westmeath also had Anna Weir in goals to thank for keeping out two Down efforts.

McAleenan levelled again on seven minutes before Beth Fitzpatrick put the black and red ahead. McAleenan took control of the free-taking adding two further ones as Westmeath were on the wrong end of some marginal calls. It was 0-6 to 0-2 heading for the 25th minute when O’Hagan got herself off the mark, but the response from Padraic Connaughton’s side was strong.

Firstly, McCormack let fly from distance and those in attendance watched the sliotar nestle in the top-corner before McCrossan’s free meant the sides were level, 1-3 to 0-6, at the interval.

Five minutes after the restart, McCrossan got loose only to be upended. When she recovered herself, her fourth free of the day split the posts. Once again, it was McAleenan who levelled and, once again, it was from a free. Manager Domhnall Nugent was spoken to by referee Joe Mullins over giving his opinions from the sideline towards the officials.

Seconds later, Down had a penalty when O’Hagan was fouled. With so many bodies around the ball it is hard to see how a decision was given. Nonetheless, O’Hagan fired to the net and Down went 1-7 to 1-4 ahead.

Entering the final quarter, Meadbh McLoughlin saw red for the home team, making a tough task even more difficult. Down took advantage as Tara Monan and a trio from O’Hagan (two frees) put Down clear at 1-11 to 1-4. The game was settled when O’Hagan blasted low to the net with time almost up.

In added time, McCrossan added one last score for Westmeath, who then suffered a major blow when dazzling Clonkill forward, Holly Dowdall, went down in distress with what looks like a serious knee injury, requiring long treatment before being taken off the field.

Scorers – Down: P O’Hagan 2-4 (1 pen, 2f), A McAleenan 0-5 (4f, 1 45), B Fitzpatrick, T Monan 0-1 each. Westmeath: C McCrossan 0-5f, C McCormack 1-0.

Down: Cassie Fitzpatrick; Niamh Savage, Aislinn Brown, Aoife McDowell; Dearbhla Magee, Beth Fitzpatrick, Blánaid Savage; Dearbhla Coleman, Clare McGilligan; Aimee McAleenan, Tara Monan, Erin Elliot; Sophie McGrath, Deirbhile Savage, Paul O’Hagan. Subs used: Sara-Louise Graffan for Elliot (43), Gerra McGratton for N Savage (45), Orlaith McClusker for B Savage (56), Emily Fitzpatrick for Brown (59), Ellen Shields for O’Hagan (60+1).

Westmeath: Anna Weir; Emily McCabe, Julie McLoughlin, Katie Penrose; Katie Coleman, Muireann Scally, Laura Doherty; Aoife O’Malley, Claire Gaffney; Caoimhe McCrossan, Caoimhe McCormack, Karen Keegan; Hannah Core, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Meadbh McLoughlin. Subs used: Holly Dowdall for Keegan (h-t), Roisín Scally for Penrose (34), Olivia Kelleghan for Dowdall (60+8).

Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare).