Ladies: Late drama as Roscommon pip Westmeath for Croker date with Fermanagh
July 12, 2026
Lauren Shanagher of Roscommon celebrates after scoring her side's winning goal during the LGFA TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Roscommon 2-14
Westmeath 2-10
by Ivan Smyth
Roscommon struck 1-1 in the dying embers as they overcame Westmeath in a titanic TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi final at Kingspan Breffni.
This game appeared destined for extra-time with the game tied at 2-10 to 1-13. However, Lauren Shanagher’s goal and Aisling Feely’s converted free ensured Roscommon reached their first TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Championship final since 2005. Now, Roscommon will play in Croke Park for the first time since 2001 after this exhilarating contest.
Both sides were without key personnel. Aisling Hanly is away travelling while Vicky Carr missed out for Westmeath. Roscommon sharpshooter Aisling Feely got the ball rolling with two early points. On the flip side, Westmeath struggled to convert their chances as four wides in the opening eight minutes was an early sign that Roscommon’s deployment of Saoirse Wynne as sweeper was working.
An Abby Curran score propelled Roscommon three points ahead while at the opposite end, Sarah Dillon was denied a game levelling goal by a superb Helena Cummins save. Westmeath found the breakthrough they craved as straight after that stop, Anna Jones ’45 ended up in the net to tie the game at 1-0 to 0-3.
Despite Westmeath registering six wides after 17 minutes, they showed their menace when Ashley Ruane’s powerful surge ended in her blasting to the net. The Roscommon response was immediate as within 90 seconds, Róise Lennon showed impressive composure to fire low to the net under severe pressure.
The game was now moving at a rapid pace with a superb Ella Thompson effort momentarily nudging Roscommon in front. But two neat Sarah Dillon scores and an Anna Jones free saw Westmeath lead 2-4 to 1-5 at half time.
Katie Kilmurray increased Westmeath’s advantage upon the resumption of play, but in what was a rip roaring second half Roscommon fought back. Ella Thompson was superb particularly in the final period as her well taken effort capped a run of three points without reply and tied the game at 2-5 to 1-8.
Thompson’s third point from wing back kickstarted another run of three scores without reply for the winners as an Aisling Feely effort propelled Roscommon 1-11 to 2-6 in front. Sarah Dillon and Lauren Shanagher traded efforts before a superb two-point free from Anna Jones tied the game.
In a dramatic finale, Roscommon showed impressive mental fortitude as Shanagher found the bottom corner of the net before Feely ensured Finbar Egan’s side will grace Croke Park on August 2.
Scorers – Roscommon: A Feely 0-6 (3f), L Shanagher and R Lennon 1-1 each, E Thompson 0-3, A Curran, L Mannion and C Lennon 0-1 each.
Westmeath: A Jones 1-3, (1-0 ’45, 1tpf, 1f), S Dillon 0-4, A Ruane 1-0, C Kelly Gonoud, C Kilmurray, K Kilmurray 0-1 each.
WESTMEATH: A Temple; F Coyle, C Kelly Gonoud, S Murphy; L Power, A Ruane, L McCartan; A Jones, C Kilmurray; A Keegan, L McCartan, T Dillon; S Dillon, R Higgins, K Kilmurray. Sub: P Ruane for A Keegan (ht).
ROSCOMMON: H Cummins; Á Connaughton, M McKeon, Á McGrath; N Feeney, R Cox, E Thompson; E Irwin, A Curran; K Nolan, S Wynne, L Mannion; R Lennon, A Feely, C Lennon. Subs: L Shanagher for R Lennon (50), N Watson for K Nolan (50), R Fitzmaurice for E Irwin (59), G Lohan for N Feeney (60).
Referee: David Hurson (Monaghan).
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