CAMOGIE: Waterford 0-14 Westmeath 0-4 (Match Report & Reaction with Lorraine Bray, Derek Lyons & Albert Kelly)
by David Kelly
Waterford emerged the convincing and merted winners of this Round 1 fixture in Division 2, Group 2 of the 2022 Littlewoods National Camogie League v Westmeath, played in damp and breezy conditions at Mullingar’s TEG Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon February 15th.
The winners put themselves in match winning situation as a consequence of leading by a margin of four points at half time, having played against a strong breeze in the first half. Holding Westmeath scoreless from open play was another factor in Waterford’s success.
Indeed had Westmeath goalkeeper Fiona Keating not produced a superb individual performance in this fixture, Waterford’s margin of victory would have been prehaps all the greater!
Westmeath, minus their Raharney players, on duty for their club the following day v Tullamore in the 2021 Leinster club camogie Championship final, and with breeze assistance in the first half, opened match scoring with a Louise O’ Connor point. Waterford, minus a number of players themselves, responded with three points, two from Beth Carton (one free) and Lorraine Bray.
Westmeath levelled with a point each from Megan Dowdall (free) and Louise O’Connor (45m award). Waterford, despite playing the breeze controlled much of the second quarter general play, holding Westmeath scoreless, while hitting over four points themselves. Beth Carton (free), and three points from Roisin Kirwan were the Waterford pointscorers.
Indeed great saves by Westmeath goalkeeper Fiona Keating, plus two timely goalmouth clearances by Emily McCabe, prevented Waterford from scoring first half goals, while Westmeath had a first goalscoring attempt from Sheila McGrath well saved by the Waterford goalkeeper at the midway point of the first half.
HALF TIME
WATERFORD 0.07 WESTMEATH 0.03
In the opening minute of the second Half, Waterford’s Abby Flynn had a low crisp drive superbly saved by Fiona Keating. The resulting 45m award was pointed by Beth Carton. Two further Waterford points following, Westmeath in turn responding with a Louise O’connor point (free). Two further Waterford points closed out match scoring for the third quarter.
The pace of play did noticeably drop in the closing quarter of play, Waterford hitting over two points, both from placed balls, to finish out match scoring.
Afterwards, David Kelly caught up with Waterford captain Lorraine Bray
David then got the thoughts of Waterford manager Derek Lyons
Finally, Paul O’Donovan from the Westmeath Topic spoke to Westmeath manager Albert Kelly
Scorers – Waterford: Beth Carton 0-8 (six frees, one’ 45), Roisin Kirwin 0-4, Lorraine Bray 0-2
Scorers – Westmeath: Louise O’Connor 0-3 (all frees), Megan Dowdall 0-1 (free)
Waterford: Brianna O’Regan; Ellen Curran, Iona Heffernan, Mairead Power; Aoife Landers, Orla Hickey, Rachel Walsh; Lorraine Bray, Ciara Griffin; Sarah Lucey, Beth Carton, Mairead O’Brien; Niamh Ahearne, Abby Flynn, Roisin Kirwin.
Subs used: Amy Mackintosh for Flynn, Megan O’Regan for Bray Mia Cronin for Niamh Ahearne, Aileen Gallagher for Curran, Dearbhla Beresford for Power.
Westmeath: Fiona Keating; Darian Corcoran, Emily McCabe, Aisling Egerton; Dearbhail McLoughlin, Megan Dowdall, Caitriona O”Brien; Aine Newman, Muireann Scally; Karen Gaffney, Caoimhe McCrossan, Sheila McGrath; Emma Broughan, Louise O’Connor, Holly Dowdall.
Subs used: Ava Balfe for Broughan, Niamh Horan for Gaffney, Olivia Glynn for Corcoran.
Referee: Philip McDonald (Cavan)