Lidl Ladies NFL Division 2 Round 5 3.3.24

Westmeath 1-7  Tipperary 1-6

Yet again there was heartbreak for Tipperary in Sunday’s Lidl National Ladies Football League game at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar against Westmeath, as they lost their third league game by a point.

This defeat ended their promotion hopes and with the group placings so tight, Tipp now need to win one of their final two games to secure their place in Division Two.

They started brightly with a point from a free from Aishling Moloney. With the defence on top, Tipp missed a few opportunities to increase the lead. Then a great move led to a penalty awarded to Tipp, which Aishling Moloney converted.

Photo: Lauren McCormack- (Westmeath Captain). David Hurson (Referee). Maria Curley (Tipperary Captain)

They held Westmeath scoreless for 25 minutes in the first half before the Lake county opened their account with a point from Leanne Slevin.

Clara English then restored Tipp’s four-point lead. Just before half-time, Vicky Carr and Sarah Dillon scored for Westmeath.

Leading 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval, Tipp were disappointed not to have been further in front.

They suffered an injury blow with the withdrawal of Nora Martin, who had an outstanding first half. At the start of the second half Emma Morrissey increased the Tipp lead to three points. However, three points in a row for Westmeath brought the game level.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Emma Morrissey scored a point from play to give Tipp the advantage and she added her third point from play two minutes later.

With ten minutes left, a free from Westmeath’s Slevin reduced the margin to the minimum.

Then disaster struck for Tipp when they conceded a fortunate goal, as Sarah Dillon’s effort for a point dipped into the top corner.

Tipp showed great resilience, reducing the margin to a point with a point from play from Angela McGuigan. They had opportunities to draw level but didn’t avail of them.

Tipp will be bitterly disappointed, losing by one point for the third time during this campaign, and the focus now turns to the Monaghan game on Saturday week, March 15 in Fethard as they try to secure their Division 2 status.

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry), Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Lucy Spillane (Fethard), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers), Clara English (Ardfinnan), Maria Curley (Templemore, captain), Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Laura Morrissey (Brian Borus), Anna-Rose Kennedy (Aherlow), Cliona O’Dwyer (Brian Borus), Marie Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Emer McCarthy (Galtee Rovers), Emma Morrissey (Aherlow), Angela McGuigan (Sliabh na mBan), Aishling Moloney (Cahir).

Westmeath: Lauren McCormack, Laura Kiernan, Lucy Power, Lara McCartan, Chloe Kelly, Fiona Coyle, Rachel Dillon, Kelly Boyce Jordan, Vicky Carr, Ashley Ruane, Rebecca Higgins, Caoimhe Clarke McMahon, Karen Hegarthy, Leanne Slevin, Tracey Dillon.