Report

Dublin v Westmeath

Westmeath 3-7  Dublin 1-5

Little things can turn a game and Dublin will point to two very unfortunate mixups that lead to Westmeath goals at critical stages and the fact that they hit 10 wides to the midlanders 2 (none in the second half) but it would be unfair to dwell too long on those points. From the moment Westmeath scored the game's opening goal through Caitríona Murtagh in the 10th minute, they grabbed the initiative and dictated the game for most of the 60 minutes. Dublin could only manage 1-1 from play compared to Westmeath's 3-4 and struggled in a number of departments.

2014 0504DublinvWestmeathleag0001.JPG

But the game could have taken a different turn had Dublin capitalised on their early dominance led by Ciara Burgess and Emer Maher with Michelle Kelly commanding at No. 6. But a string of four wides in the opening 10 minutes led to zero return. Dublin seemed edgy and players who are normally very composed on the ball displayed uncharacteristic errors. The Murtagh opening goal gave her side a huge lift in the 10th minute but Dublin responded with a clinical point by Siobhán Keogh. But that would be Dublin's only score from play in the first half.

Westmeath's half-back line of Fiona Leavy, Pamela Greville and Sarah King were superb and player of the match Mairéad McCormack put in a great shift at midfield. Dublin were unable to break them down. Their tactic of the long high ball yielded little whereas a direct Westmeath who moved the ball superbly on the ground kept Dublin on the back foot with a variety of attacking strategies. Muireann Scally added another Westmeath point in the 16th minute to be followed two minutes later by a Georgina Kelly pointed free for Dublin.

The game was finely balanced even if Westmeath looked the more likely to get the next goal. When it came it had a huge touch of good luck about it. A long delivery by Caoimhe McCrossan in the 28th minute took a deflection off a Dublin defender and Sile nic Coitir was wrongfooted in the Dublin goals to leave Westmeath 2-2 to 0-2 in front at the break.

2014 0504DublinvWestmeathleag0004.JPGDublin came out in determined mode from the throw-in and Elaine Gallery (pictured left with Westmeath Captain Denise McGrath and referee John McDonagh of Galway) was first into the action when a well placed centre was met by Siobhan Keogh who saw her shot slip outside the post. The move was encouraging and back came Dublin 5 minutes later to cut the gap thanks to a Georgina Kelly 45. Denise McGrath settled Westmeath nerves with a free of her own in the 38th minute. Dublin's hopes skyrocketed in the next five minutes - firstly Georgina Kelly knocked over another free in the 39th minute and three minutes later Elaine Gallery forced a great save from Fiona Keating in the Westmeath goals. The ball hung around the box for a few more seconds before falling at the feet of the Dublin captain and she whipped the sliothar to the back of the net.

Dublin now trailed by only two points and the flow of the game seemed to be in their direction but in the remaining 19 minutes they would only add one more point. When the chips were down Westmeath showed great resilience and ability. Midfielder Mairéad McCormack fired over two defiant points in the 34th and 56th minutes followed by a massive score from a free from 67m by centre back Paula Greville. Dublin could not respond and their day ended when a defensive mixup let Laura Thompson in for the clinching goal.

Roll on the championship!

Scorers: Georgina Kelly (0-4, 2f, 1 45); Elaine Gallery (1-0) and Siobhan Keogh (0-1)

Left Navigation

join us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter

© 2024 Dublin Camogie County Board

Web Design Dublin by Webtrade.ie.

Web design sponsored by Webtrade.ie
Image