Westmeath 2-20
Wexford 4-8

by Deniese O’Flaherty

Westmeath retained their TG4 Ladies Leinster intermediate title with a six point win over a spirited Wexford side at Cedral St. Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.

Frank Browne’s charges played some good football throughout but were made to work hard for their win in an entertaining contest.

It was Westmeath who started the game with a real purpose. After eight minutes they had built up a five point lead; the best being a superb two pointer kicked over by Sarah Dillon.

Wexford were back in the game minutes later with a point and then goal from Aoife Cullen. At the other end Anna Jones brought a fine save out of Wexford keeper Siobhan Clarke.

The game turned in Wexford’s favour when they got a second goal in the 23rd minute; Anna Hughes finding the back of the net with an excellent strike from a tight angle.

Westmeath though didn’t panic. They were on level terms in the 25th minute when Jones kicked over a two pointed free. Vicky Carr grabbed a goal in the 26th minute. Just before the break Carr fisted the ball to the net for her and her side’s second goal to give them a 2-10 to 2-4 lead.

Wexford cut the gap to three points in the 32nd minute when Cullen slotted home a penalty. The Lake County hit back with points from Carr, Dillon and Lucy McCartan to restore their six point advantage in the 35th minute.

The Model County grabbed a goal in the 43rd minute through Emma Tomkins to leave three between them. Twice Westmeath went ahead by four, only for Wexford to cut the gap to three again. It was end to end.

Wexford were reduced to 14 in the 54th minute before Westmeath keeper Aoife Temple brought off a good save to deny sub Grace Donovan.

Dillon kicked over her seventh point in the 57th minute to put four between the sides again. In the final minute Ashely Ruane fired over a point and Jones sealed the win for Wesmeath with a pointed free right at the end.

Scorers – Westmeath: S Dillon 0-7 (1tp), V Carr 2-1, A Jones 0-5 (1tpf, 2f), K Kilmurray 0-3, P Ruane, A Ruane, Lucy McCartan, A Keegan 0-1 each.

Wexford: A Cullen 2-3 (1-0pen,2fs) E Tomkins 1-1, C Banville 0-4, A Hughes 1-0

WESTMEATH: A Temple; Lara McCartan, L Power, F Coyle; P Ruane, A Ruane, C Kelly Gonoud; A Jones, V Carr; A Keegan, Lucy McCartan, T Dillon; K Kilmurray, S Dillon, R Higgins. Subs: S O’Donnell for P Ruane (51), S Robbins for Lara McCartan (57).

WEXFORD: S Cloake; A Tormey, K English, J Dempsey; O Kehoe, A Halligan, R Hughes; B McDonald, C Donnelly; A Cullen, A Hughes, O Byrne; E Tomkins, C Banville, K Dempsey. Subs: C Roban for Hughes (34), A Furlong for K Dempsey (36), G Donovan for O Byrne (40), N Cullen for J Dempsey (51).

REFEREE: Angela Gallagher (Dublin).

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