Dillon goal the icing on the cake in Milltown's win over Garrycastle

Milltown 1-15, Garrycastle 1-5

A superior Milltown outfit got their Westmeath LGFA Senior Championship campaign off to a flying start when they proved too strong for Garrycastle, at Sean Doolin Memorial Park, Milltown on Thursday.

The reigning champions were severely tested for long stretches but eventually their strength in the forward division, and fine support play on the counter-attack, saw them win with plenty to spare. It was level three minutes into the second half before Milltown scored an unanswered 1-7 to power past a strong opposition.

Garrycastle were reduced to 14 players after 35 minutes when Lorraine Duncan picked up a yellow card, leading to her serving 10 minutes in the sin bin. During that spell Milltown put the squeeze on, though not as much as they would have liked, and opened up a four-point lead (0-12 to 1-5), but the additional toil involved in trying to plug the gap eventually took its toll and the Garrycastle challenge faded in the final quarter.

When the deficit is 10 points there can be no arguing, but the scoreline doesn’t really do justice to a capable Garrycastle side, who almost got in for a second goal before half-time, only to be denied by Milltown ‘keeper Karen Walsh before the danger was cleared.

Just a point separated the sides at the interval, Milltown leading by 0-8 to 1-4, and what had been a very entertaining game continued in that vein with some fine displays on both sides. Kacey Mulvihill equalised for Garrycastle three minutes after the restart, following Elaine McGovern’s pass, but Milltown, who had the luxury of introducing Sarah Dillon from the bench, pressed on with Leanne Slevin a driving force from midfield.

The aforementioned duo combined for Leanne Slevin to point and Gráinne Byrne pushed the home side two clear by the 40th minute; Leanne Slevin converted a brace of frees at this stage and the sin-binning led to opportunities for overlaps as Milltown moved the ball quickly, and to telling effect.

Leanne Slevin again worked a free short and fired over before Sinead Boyce set up Sarah Dillon for a lovely score. The latter added a second in the 55th minute, following a slick Milltown move.

When Garrycastle failed to clear their lines deep in added time, Sarah Dillon pounced to score the game’s second goal, her finish giving the Garrycastle ‘keeper little chance.

It was a game that started very positively for Garrycastle, as Aoife Connolly chipped over a free in classy fashion, but pretty quickly, Milltown asserted control with six unanswered scores: Rachel and Clodagh Dillon (two) both pointed, while Tracey Dillon’s fine long-range effort split the uprights. Bronagh Beglan’s lay-off led to Leanne Slevin pointing and it was 0-6 to 0-1 after 17 minutes.

Garrycastle refused to buckle and Shannon Mulvihill’s delivery led to Kacey Mulvihill finding the net, her powerful shot squeezing in at the near post. Rachel Dillon and Gráinne Byrne combined to set up Leanne Slevin as Milltown responded instantly; after Connolly’s free, Gráinne Byrne pushed Milltown three clear again.

Elaine McGovern’s persistence was rewarded when she kept a high delivery in play and fisted over, but when the same player threatened to breach the cover, the Milltown defence reacted smartly in what was a key moment before the break.

Milltown will be absolutely satisfied at the outcome. With The Downs scoring 4-8 in their win over Moate All Whites, St Loman’s registering 3-14 and last year’s finalists St Mary’s Rochfortbridge notching an impressive 7-17 in their first round victories, this senior championship promises to be seriously competitive.

Scorers - Milltown: L Slevin 0-6 (2f), S Dillon 1-2, C Dillon and G Byrne 0-2 each, R Dillon, T Dillon and K Whyte 0-1 each. Garrycastle: K Mulvihill 1-1, A Connolly 0-3 (2f), E McGovern 0-1.

Milltown: Karen Walsh, Tara Gunning, Emma Ballesty, Nicole Feery, Laura Kiernan, Kelly Boyce Jordan, Rachel Dillon; Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon; Bronagh Beglan, Gráinne Byrne, Orlaith Sheerin, Clodagh Dillon, Sinead Boyce, Kate Whyte. Subs: Sarah Dillon for K Whyte (33), Molloy Conway for K Boyce Jordan (60+6).

Garrycastle: Siobhan Ni Chluaid, Clodagh McCahey, Aimee Duncan, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Louise Connell, Aoife McGibbon, Lorraine Duncan, Áine Lynn, Shannon Mulvihill, Patricia Igoe, Sarah Dolan, Roisín Murphy, Elaine McGovern, Aoife Connolly, Kacey Mulvihill. Subs: Donna Molloy for P Igoe (45), Kayleigh Clyne for L Connell and P Igoe for S Mulvihill, inj. (55).

Ref: Kieran Daly (Kilbeggan).

In a nutshell

Player of the match: Leanne Slevin (Milltown): there were plenty of candidates, but Leanne Slevin’s work rate stood out and she contributed six points, taking things on when necessary.

Score of the match: Kacey Mulvihill’s powerful strike found the roof of the net after 18 minutes to bring Garrycastle right back into this contest, following Shannon Mulvihill’s delivery.