Westmeath prove a handful

Westmeath prove a handful

19 February 2014

DOWN Ladies had a big ask against an in-form Westmeath in Mayobridge at the weekend and it was the Midlanders who came out victors.

Down held their own in the first half and although the final score would suggest they were well beaten, it all looked so different in the opening exchanges.

Sinead Brannigan was instrumental in keeping Down in the game when Westmeath were awarded a penalty. It looked like the worst possible start for Down.

However, Brannigan held her nerve, saved the penalty shot, then saved the rebound and finally pushed a third shot on goal over the bar as Westmeath salvaged a point.

Down were soon back in shape and showed some great football prowess. When Orla Boyle was fouled a free was quickly taken and Clara Fitzpatrick found Lauren Cunningham who spotted Orla Fegan on a run through the Westmeath backs.

Fegan knew exactly where she was going and buried the ball in the back of the net and Down looked to have the measure of Westmeath.

Well taken frees from Grainne McClean and Aileen Pyres and a good score from play from Pyres, all helped Down to stay within a score of Westmeath for the majority of the first half.

However, at the end of the first half with over five minutes of time added on, Westmeath stepped it up a gear and scored another goal and three points before going in at the break.

Disaster from a Down perspective who were only two points down at the 30 minute mark and looked to be getting the majority of possession. It was the closing minutes though in time added on of the first half that did the damage.

Down made a few changes in the second half with Cara Cunningham, Hannah Murray and Megan Doherty making second half appearances. Down were finding the going difficult in the second half, with points from play from Lauren Cunningham, Kyla Trainor and Aileen Pyres, while late in the second half Pyres also got Down’s second goal.

However, it was a case of too little too late for Down and the deficit was just too much for the home team, who battled to the last, but to no avail.

Down have played three of the strongest teams in the league in their first foray in Division 2 this year and they can hold their heads up high.

There is no doubt the step up from Division 3 to Division 2 was always going to be a challenge for Down, but it’s a challenge the Down girls are relishing and they most certainly look like a team with a lot more to give. Currently on a par with Cavan, with both teams having won one game each, Cavan are going to be another difficult task for Down in a fortnight’s time.

Down will be going into the game as the underdogs while Cavan are the current Intermediate All-Ireland Champions and will be looking to cement their position in Division 2 with a win over Down.

Cavan are no strangers to Down having met last year in the Ulster semi-final where Down come out the victors, only to meet them again in the All-Ireland semi-final at Breffni Park.

Cavan won on that occasion and then went on to win the All-Ireland. It’ll be an interesting encounter between the two Ulster sides, and could prove to be a crucial game come the end of the league campaign.

Down: Sinead Branagan, Orla Boyle, Eliza Downey, Cora McKibbin, Eimear Kane, Niamh McGowan, Sinead Fegan, Clara Fitzpatrick, Grainne McClean, Orla Fegan, Sinead MacNamee, Kyla Trainor, Aileen Pyers, Lisa Morgan, Lauren Cunningham, Jess Foy, Megan Doherty, Jordan Magee, Hannah Murray, Clara Mulvanna, Claire O’Neill, Emily Martin, Grainne Hughes, Cara Cunningham, Ciara Kearns, Grainne Kelly.

Westmeath: Sarah Keegan, Aileen Martin, Lorraine Duncan, Triona Durkin, Kelly Boyce Jordan, Aimee Giles, Coralstown/Kinnegad, Laura Brennan, Ruth Kearney, Maud Annie Foley, Karen McDermott, Ciara Blundell, Johanna Maher, Chloe Kelly, Clann Gaels, Fiona Leavy, Karen Hegarty. Subs: Niamh Mulligan, Nicola Judge, Bronagh Beglan, Rebecca Dunne, Jenny Rogers, Laura Kiernan, Aimee Duncan, Katie Somers, Lauren Kennedy, Catie Heslin, Donna Kiernan, Bridget Heslin, Elaine Finn, Fiona Coyle, Joy Kearney, Michaela Brady.

Down Ladies 2-10

Westmeath Ladies 5-13

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