Offaly overcome Westmeath advance to knock out stages of championship

OFFALY secured their place in the knockout stages of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland intermediate camogie championship with an eight point victory over Westmeath at Glenisk O'Connor Park on Saturday.

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship

OFFALY 2-14 WESTMEATH 2-6

Offaly were the stronger team throughout but they made things difficult for themselves at times and spurned some good chances to really put the game beyond Westmeath's reach.

A year ago Offaly needed a late goal to secure victory over Westmeath in Mullingar to progress to the knock out stages on that occasion but it was a little bit more straightforward on this occasion. A good start had them six points up after 10 minutes and although Westmeath battled back to level midway through the second quarter, that was the spark Offaly needed to perk up again and they led by five points at the break.

In truth they were never really threatened in the second half and Westmeath never narrowed the gap closer than the five points that separated them at the break. Offaly pulled away in the final quarter as they gave a run out to five subs and they can now prepare for the knock out stages on July 5^th.

Offaly made three changes from the side which defeated Meath the previous weekend with goalkeeper Emer Reynolds and forwards Christine Cleary and Ciara Maher being given their chance with Leah Gallagher, Grace Teehan and Caoimhe O'Donovan starting on the bench on this occasion.

Offaly made the much better start and opened a six point lead after 10 minutes and seemed well on the way to victory. However they didn't capitalise on their dominance and allowed Westmeath back into the game and when the Lakesiders levelled after 23 minutes they knew they were in a game.

But that was the wake up call they needed as within three minutes they had gone five clear again. A couple of times previously Emer Reynolds had found Mairead Teehan well in space from puck outs and on this occasion the Moneygall player made good ground before finding the net.

Offaly led by five points at half time and the second half was a more scrappy affair with little fluent play. A 51^st minute point from Ciara Maher was the only score from play in that half with Clodagh Leahy and Caoimhe McCrossan providing all the other scores from placed balls.

Offaly did give away a lot of frees, particularly in the challenge with hands on the back and pulling across. They were a bit casual in their play at times and will need to be more clinical when they progess in the knock out stages.

Their success was laid on the foundation on a solid half back line where team captain Orlagh Phelan excelled in the centre, particularly when things were tight in the first half. Amy Byrne and Roisin Kinsella also caught the eye in defence while Sharon Shanahan did a lot of good work around the middle of the field, with Christine Cleary doing well when moved out in the second half.. The best of the attacking play came in the first half where Kate Pilkington, Mairead Teehan and Ciara Maher all contributed well.

Westmeath will be disappointed with the outcome. They have lost all three games and now face a relegation battle. They only managed one score from play over the hour, Julie McLoughlin's goal, with midfielder Caoimhe McCrossan contributing all their other scores from placed balls. Dearbhail McLoughlin, Roisin Scally, Caoimhe McCrossan, Hannah Core and Julie McLoughlin all worked hard in a losing cause for them.

Offaly got the perfect start with a goal after just 45 seconds. Mairead Teehan floated a high ball goalwards and Kate Pilkington managed to keep it in play before Faye Mulrooney flashed the loose ball to the net. Clodagh Leahy added a point from a free as Offaly settled nicely into the game.

Caoimhe McCrossan got Westmeath's first score from a free after four minutes but Faye Mulrooney scored a nice point for Offaly and Kate Pilkington pointed a free and followed up immediately with another from play to leave Offaly six points clear with just over 10 minutes played.

Midway through the half Westmeath got the boost they needed. Offaly had the opportunity to clear the ball but didn't get it away and ended up conceding a penalty which Caoimhe McCrossan planted in the corner of the net. Clodagh Leahy and Caoimhe McCrossan exchanged points from frees before Westmeath levelled the game after 23 minutes. Meadbh McLoughlin made a great run before offloading the ball to Julie McLoughlin and the Westmeath captain crashed the ball to the Offaly net.

Offaly's reply was instant. Emer Reynolds' long puck out found Mairead Teehan in space and she ran forward before planting the ball in the Westmeath net. Kate Pilkington and Ciara Maher followed up with points as Offaly re-established control. Kate Pilkington added another approaching half time before Caoimhe McCrossan pointed a late free to leave Offaly five points clear at the break, 2-8 to 2-3.

The third quarter only provided a single score each, pointed frees from Clodagh Leahy and Caoimhe McCrossan but Offaly should have had a third goal after 11 minutes. Mairead Teehan's goalbound shot was well saved by Fiona Keating but when the ball went up in the air Clodagh Leahy somehow managed to bat it wide with the goal at her mercy.

Clodagh Leahy and Caoimhe McCrossan exchanged further points from frees early in the final quarter before Offaly hit four points in a row, three frees from Clodagh Leahy and a point from Ciara Maher. Olivia Kellaghan had a late goal chance for Westmeath but Emer Reynolds saved well with her foot at the expense of a '45' which Caoimhe McCrossan pointed.

That rounded off the scoring and Offaly can now look forward to the knock out stages in a couple of weeks.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Emer Reynolds (Shinrone); Megan King (St Cillian's), Amy Byrne (Shinrone), Kaitlyn Kennedy (Drumcullen); Hannah Feenane (Birr), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid), Roisin Kinsella (Birrr); Clodagh Leahy (Drumcullen), Sharon Shanahan (Shinrone); Mairead Teehan (Moneygall), Christine Cleary (Shinrone), Fianait Dooley (Drumcullen); Faye Mulrooney (Birr), Ciara Maher (Moneygall), Kate Pilkington (Birr). Subs. Karla Mannion (Drumcullen) (for Hannah Feenane, 40 mins), Orla Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey) (for Fianait Dooley, 40 mins), Aoife Hoctor (St Cillian's) (for Kaitlyn Kennedy, 48 mins), Niamh Sheehy (St Rynagh's) (for Faye Mulrooney, 53 mins), Grainne Kennedy (Drumcullen) (for Kate Pilkington, 55 mins).

WESTMEATH: Fiona Keating; Emily McCabe, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Claire Gaffney; Katie Coleman, Roisin Scally, Laura Doherty; Caoimhe McCrossan, Aoife O'Malley; Karen Keegan, Aine Newman, Hannah Core; Meadbh McLoughlin, Julie McLoughlin, Olivia Kellaghan. Subs. Reanna Kennedy (for Aine Newman, 33 mins), Ciara Corcoran (for Karen Keegan, 46 mins), Katie Penrose (for Claire Gaffney, 53 mins).

REFEREE: Michael Ryan (Tipperary).

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Offaly captain Orlagh Phelan led her side by example on this occasion. She marshalled the defence from the centre back position and delivered some excellent ball into the forward line in an all round solid display. Katie Pilkington had a fine first half when she scored four points, while Sharon Shanahan and Mairead Teehan also deserve mention.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Offaly started very well and were six points clear with just over 10 minutes gone. However they allowed Westmeath back into it and when Julie McLoughlin goaled after 23 minutes, the sides were level. Straight from the puck out, Emer Reynolds picked out Mairead Teehan and she ran on and shot to the net for Offaly second goal and with three further points following quickly they were back in control and never looked back from there

REFEREE WATCH

Michael Ryan handled the game well overall. He was strong and consistent in his decisions and gave clear indications of what the fouls were for. On a couple of occasions he probably could have allowed the advantage to develop but overall did a decent job.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly advance to the knock out stages of the championship. The quarter finals are pencilled in for July 5^th with the semi-finals the following weekend.

VENUE WATCH

On a beautiful Summer's day O'Connor Park was in excellent condition for this game and it was ideal for playing. There was a small attendance who were very easily catered for.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly 9 (5 in first half) Westmeath 4 (2 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Offaly 1 (Kaitlyn Kennedy) Westmeath 2 (Olivia Kellaghan, Katie Coleman)

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Offaly; Clodagh Leahy (0-7, all frees), Faye Mulrooney (1-1), Kate Pilkington (0-4, 0-1 free), Mairead Teehan (1-0), Ciara Maher (0-2).

Westmeath; Caoimhe McCrossan (1-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-5 frees, 0-1 '45'), Julie McLoughlin (1-0).