Spirited Offaly comeback falls short in camogie league opener
Very Camogie League Division 2A
Westmeath 4-11 Offaly 3-13
Offaly launched a strong comeback in the second half but Westmeath, inspired by three goals from Megan Dowdall, hung on for a narrow victory after a dramatic finish, in the National Camogie League at Lakepoint Park on Saturday.
Westmeath led by ten points at half-time but a spirited Offaly side that has plenty of experience in the higher division, produced a storming second-half recovery and outscored the home side (2-6 to 0-3) with an impressive display.
Ultimately four first-half goals, including a hat-trick from the superb Megan Dowdall and a neat finish from corner forward Sheila McGrath, gave the Lake County the platform for victory.
Having led by 4-8 to 1-7 at the interval, it would have been something of a disaster for Westmeath to lose, so manager Padraig Connaughton will be relieved to come away with maximum points.
In a game switched from Birr to Lakepoint Park, Mullingar, Westmeath played with the breeze in the opening half. Megan Dowdall nipped in for a goal in the very first attack, the Clonkill star taking her chance well with only seconds on the clock. Two pointed frees from the accurate Amelia Shaw gave Westmeath an ideal start.
Offaly full forward Becky Bryant was proving a real handful and she showed her strength to finish to the net from close-range in the eighth minute. Two points from Amelia Shaw (one free) kept Westmeath on course, however.
The visitors hit back when Caitlín O’Meara set up Bryant for a point, but with 13 minutes played, Westmeath got their second major: a delivery found Megan Dowdall, who came under pressure but competed strongly for the ball before it broke for Sheila McGrath, who belted a low shot past Leah Gallagher in the Offaly goal.
At 2-4 to 1-1, Westmeath were well in control. Birr's Ellen Regan looked impressive for Offaly as she shot over, while the accurate Mairead Jennings converted a free and Faye Mulrooney made it three in succession for the visitors when she shot over. Crucially, Amelia Shaw landed a brace of frees at this stage and Westmeath led by 2-6 to 1-4 with 22 minutes played.
Jennings and Regan then notched Offaly points before Westmeath’s Megan Dowdall shot over. After Regan pointed, Westmeath added to their lead via a Sheila McGrath score.
Then in the 28th minute came the home side’s third major as Muireann Scally found Megan Dowdall, who soloed through and finished to the net. The same combination led to a fourth goal in added time - Dowdall taking a pass from Scally and after her initial shot came off the upright, she found the net in the follow-up.
With that commanding lead, Westmeath were fancied to press on, but Offaly dominated the second half. They got the first four scores with the breeze at their backs and as the rain came down, this game was soon all changed. Jennings (free) and Grace Teehan (two) notched the opening scores for the visiting side.
Westmeath responded as Amelia Shaw shot a fine free into the teeth of the breeze from distance (over 50 metres). Mairead Jennings (free) then pointed for the Offaly girls who got through for a second goal on 45 minutes, Becky Bryant showing her class to find the top corner with a powerful strike. At 4-9 to 2-11, Westmeath’s lead was down to four points entering the final quarter.
Meadbh McLoughlin grabbed a vital point at this stage, before Shelia McGrath gave Westmeath a six-point cushion again. But they needed it all as Offaly applied late pressure.
The visitors notched 1-2 in the closing five minutes (including added time) - Mairead Jennings (free) and Grace Teehan with the minors, before substitute Clodagh Leahy was on hand to find the net from close-range.
However, time ran out on a resurgent Offaly side and Westmeath could breathe a sigh of relief when the final whistle sounded.
Offaly will now play Carlow on Saturday in the second round game of Division 2A at Netwatch Cullen Park (2pm)
Player of the match: Megan Dowdall (Westmeath): The Clonkill ace got three crucial goals in this game and her pace and accuracy were key to her side's victory.
Score of the match: Offaly’s Becky Bryant scored a superb goal in the 45th minute to inject real momentum into her side’s fightback - her shot finding the top corner in clinical style.
Key moments: After Offaly got their second goal, Westmeath responded with a couple of key scores from Meadbh McLoughlin and Shelia McGrath to steady the ship.
Match officials: Brian Kearney may have erred in bringing the ball forward for Westmeath when the Offaly manager shouted in protest: technically, he can only do this if a player shows dissent. In general, the calls from the referee were good, but more time should have been added at the end after a raft of substitutes and a stoppage for an injury to Holly Dowdall.
Scorers - Westmeath: M Dowdall 3-1, S McGrath 1-2, A Shaw 0-7 (6f), M McLoughlin 0-1. Offaly: B Bryant 2-1, C Leahy 1-0, M Jennings 0-5 (4f), E Regan 0-3, G Teehan 0-3, F Mulrooney 0-1.
Westmeath: Fiona Keating, Emily McCabe, Julie McLoughlin, Aisling Egerton; Maria Kelly, Muireann Scally, Áine Newman; Aoife O’Malley, Emma Broughan; Holly Dowdall, Caoimhe McCrossan, Megan Dowdall; Sheila McGrath, Amelia Shaw, Meadbh McLoughlin. Subs: Niamh Horan for A Newman (40 mins), Meadbh Scally for E Broughan (49), Roisín Scally for H Dowdall (inj., 54), Ava Balfe for M McLoughlin (60).
Offaly: Leah Gallagher; Cathay Fogarty, Deirdre Cashen, Orla Gorman; Kaitlyn Kennedy, Alana Roddy, Amy Byrne; Caoimhe Darcy, Orlagh Phelan; Grace Teehan, Caitlín O’Meara, Ellen Regan; Mairead Jennings, Becky Bryant, Faye Mulrooney. Subs: Lizzie Hardin for C Darcy (23 mins), Ciara Ryan for O Phelan (HT), Leah Gath for C O’Meara (39), Sarah Guinan for A Byrne (57), Clodagh Leahy for A Roddy (59), Aoife McLoughlin for E Regan (59), Cara Hoare for F Mulrooney (60+2).
Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare).