Roscommon: 4-07
Westmeath: 2-07
The concession of four goals cost the Westmeath camogie side dearly as they crashed out of the Premier Junior Camogie Championship, following this six-point defeat to Roscommon in Athleague, Roscommon, last Sunday afternoon.
Westmeath started this game poorly and were second to the ball throughout and a very determined Roscommon side deservedly led at half time by 2-4 to 0-4.
However a spirited second half by the Lake County girls saw them comeback and squeeze into the lead, when goals by sub Aisling Conaty and Denise McGrath, and points by Dinah Loughlin, saw them lead by 2-7 to 2-6.
Unfortunately though for Ger Jackson’s side Roscommon struck again late in the game for two close-range goals and Westmeath could not respond, leaving Roscommon the victors of this championship playoff match.
EARLY SETBACK
Westmeath suffered an early set back when a long range free in the third minute by the excellent Kelley Hopkins of Roscommon, dropped into the Westmeath square, and ended up in the Westmeath net. This was a very poor goal for the visitors to concede.
This set the tone for the first half and Roscommon remained the superior team throughout. Dinah Loughlin replied for Westmeath with a point from play but this was Westmeath’s only score in the opening 25 minutes. Roscommon built upon their lead as Caitriona Morris, Elaine Daly and two points from Kelley Hopkins left Roscommon ahead by 1-4 to 0-1 after 21 minutes. Hopkins scored her first point from a penalty, after Gillian Dufficy was fouled inside the square by Edel McCormack, but Hopkins drove her penalty stroke over the bar, while her second point came from a ’45, after Patricia Lennon’s shot was deflected over the endline.
Westmeath improved towards the end of the first half, Dinah Loughlin converting a free, after Denise McGrath had been fouled and then McGrath herself scoring a good point, following good work by Loughlin.
However, all this good work was undone when Roscommon scored their second goal in first half injury time. Elaine Daly sent in a probing ball and Gillian Dufficy beat Fiona Keating in the race for possession, Dufficy flicking the ball by Keating for the goal.
A point from a free by Dinah Loughlin left Westmeath trailing by 0-4 to 2-4 at the end of a disappointing half.
IMPROVED WESTMEATH
Roscommon then stretched their lead early in the second half when Kelley Hopkins scored two more frees, but suddenly Westmeath woke up and decided to move up a few gears.
Playing with far more determination they scored 2-3 in ten minutes to take the lead.
A long free by Dinah Loughlin was gathered in the square by sub Aisling Conaty who fired to the net.
Mairead McCormack then sent over a superb point from the right wing. Westmeath had the momentum now and Denise McGrath scored another fine point. Sub Teresa Lynch almost grabbed a goal, but when her shot was deflected away for a ’45, Dinah Loughlin converted, to leave Westmeath just two behind.
Then in the 49th minute a fine individual goal by Denise McGrath, when she burst through a number of tackles before firing to the net from a narrow angle, saw Westmeath move into the lead for the first time, 2-7 to 2-6.
LATE ROSCOMMON GOALS
The tension was growing now but suddenly it was Roscommon who stepped up to the mark, as Elaine Daly skipped by her opponent, and goaled from a narrow angle.
Now Roscommon were back in front and three minutes later they clinched victory as Gillian Dufficy latched onto a long delivery behind the Westmeath defence and hand passed to the net to leave Roscommon in front by 4-6 to 2-7.
Try as they did Westmeath couldn’t get through for any more goals and a late point from Annette McGeeney sealed a deserved win for Roscommon.
Scorers-Roscommon: Kelley Hopkins 1-4, (1-2 from frees, 0-1 from a pen, 0-1 from ’45), Gillian Dufficy 2-0, Elaine Daly 1-1, Caitriona Regan 0-1, Annette McGeeney 0-1
Westmeath: Denise McGrath 1-2, Dinah Loughlin 0-4 (0-2 from frees, 0-1 from ’45), Aisling Conaty 1-0, Mairead McCormack 0-1.
Roscommon: Caroline Connaughton; Carmel Kileen, Fiona Connell, Joanne Beattie; Aisling Rogerson, Caitriona Morris, Caroline Gunning; Kelley Hopkins, Caitriona Regan; Patricia Lennon, Annette McGeeney, Susan Spillane; Elaine Daly, Gillian Dufficy, Deirdre Regan. Subs used: Siobhan Coyle, Laura Fleming, Niamh Conway and Edel Gately.
Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Eileen Murphy, Edel McCormack, Sarah King; Roisin Scally, Niamh Horan, Dinah Loughlin; Fiona Leavy, Ellen Tate; Sandra McGrath, Mairead McCormack, Denise McGrath; Jemma Egan Maybury, Pamela Greville, Laura Hannon. Subs used: Aisling Conaty for Laura Hannon (half time) Teresa Lynch for Jemma Egan Maybury (half time), Aisling Boyhan for Niamh Horan (47 minutes), Julie McLoughlin for Sandra McGrath (49 minutes), Jenna McKeogh for Eileen Murphy (55 minutes).
Referee: Ray Kelly (Kildare).
Player of the Match
Kelley Hopkins once again had a fine game for Roscommon, dominating around midfield and finishing with a tally of 1-4.
