Tipperary move clear of the relegation zone with good win in Westmeath

Westmeath 0-8 Tipperary 3-8

Tipperary put the nightmare of the previous weekend’s second half performance against Monaghan behind them with a hugely improved display against Westmeath at St Loman’s GAA Club in Mullingar on Sunday for a nine-points victory in Division 2 of the Lidl National Ladies Football League.

Three well-taken goals, from Heather Spillane, Anna Rose Kennedy and Lauren Cunnigham helped to decide the outcome, but it was the performance of Clara English that really stood out in an overall impressive display from the team.

English, coming in for Aine O’Dwyer in the only change from the previous week’s side, tormented the home defence throughout. She kicked three points from play, with at least three further assists, including for Spillane’s goal, in a stellar outing for the Ardfinnan player.

Another standout game came from Emma Cronin at the other end of the field. She was rock solid at corner back with a performance that was reminiscent of her father, legendary Moyle Rovers and Tipp defender Liam Cronin.

Behind her between the posts, goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick made a string of outstanding saves to deny Westmeath a goal in the best performance of the campaign to date for the Ballymacarbry player.

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Tipperary eased any relegation concerns with the win that puts them mid-table in the league on seven points with two rounds still to play.

Once again it was a strong first half that set the tone, but unlike a week earlier when they were pegged back by Monaghan, this time they remained on the front foot to see out the victory.

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The intensity levels dropped a little in the second half, but only after two goals in the space of three minutes secured the win. Twelve substitutions also proved disruptive, as manager David Power took off key players, many of whom were scheduled for O’Connor Cup Third Level colleges matches this week.

The side’s second win of the campaign, both away from home, was achieved with a combination of some sparkling forward play – their 3-8 total was all from open play – and resolute defence.

Emma Morrissey worked tirelessly for nearly 50 minutes, the fulcrum of the attack, switching play from side to side to create the openings. The main beneficiary was Clara English, who cut through the Westmeath defence for her three outstanding points, as well as providing further assists. Heather Spillane and Lauren Cunningham scored 1-1 each as the Tipp attack looked dangerous whenever it moved the ball at speed.

Minding the house at the back was equally as vital, and where Cronin was superb. A newcomer to the team this year, Templemore’s Tara Hoare, was also strong in her tackling, with the Sliabh na mBan sisters Niamh and Nora Martin both in fine form.

Tipperary attacked from the start, with a Niamh Martin point in the second minute following a quick tap and go free from Clara English. Two minutes later English was the provider again for a Heather Spillane goal.

Westmeath hit back with two points in a row from Sarah Dillon and an Anna Jones free, but the Lake County side were not to score again in the first half. Tipperary continued to dominate possession and Emma Morrissey pointed midway through the half from a Cunningham pass, with Down native Cunningham, now playing for Holycross/Ballycahill, then getting on the scoresheet herself.

The unstoppable Clara English then skinned her marker on the right side to hit a lovely point, before Spillane and English completed the first half scoring for a 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead.

Any scares of a second half collapse similar to a week earlier were quickly dispelled by the visitors. Clara English opened the scoring two minutes in before two goals in the space of three minutes sealed the deal.

A lofted free from Emma Morrissey caused panic in the Westmeath defence, with team captain Anna Rose Kennedy capitalising to shoot to the net. Then following a great save from Lauren Fitzpatrick, play switched to the other end, with substitute Emma Buckley setting Lauren Cunningham up for the third goal and a 3-7 to 0-2 lead in the 38th minute.

A combination of the big lead and the sweeping changes off the bench appeared to disrupt Tipperary’s flow, and Westmeath kicked five points without reply from Lucy McCartan, Ashley Ruane, Sarah Dillon and two frees from Anna Jones. At least two of the points might have been goals that could have re-ignited the Westmeath challenge.

Substitute Anna Carey had Tipperary’s first point in 17 minutes from another Clara English assist before another sub, Sinead Seery, wrapped up the scoring for Westmeath.

Tipperary now have a break of two weeks before a home game against table-toppers Donegal, followed by another game in Clonmel a week later against Tyrone.

Scorers: Westmeath: Anne Jones 0-3 frees, Sarah Dillon 0-2, Ashley Ruane, Lucy McCartan, Sinead Seery 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Heather Spillane, Lauren Cunningham 1-1 each, Anna Rose Kennedy 1-0; Clara English 0-3, Niamh Martin, Emma Morrissey, Anna Carey 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Aoife Temple; Holly Keenan, Tracey Dillon, Lara McCartan; Chloe Kelly Gonoud, Fiona Coyle, Sandra McWade; Anna Jones, Ashley Ruane; Vicky Carr, Caoimhe Kilmurray, Niamh Mullarkey; Rebecca Higgins, Sarah Dillon, Lucy McCartan. Subs: Pip Ruane for McWade (20), Sinead Seery for Mullarkey (HT), Aoife Keegan for Higgins (50), Maisie Curran for Gonoud (58), Lisa Seery for Sarah Dillon (58).

Tipperary: Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbry); Tara Hoare (Templemore), Maria Curley (Templemore), Emma Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Niamh Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Nora Martin (Sliabh na mBan), Sarah English (Ardfinnan); Laura Morrissey (Brian Borus), Anna Rose Kennedy (Aherlow); Angela McGuigan (St Sylvester’s, Dublin), Clara English (Ardfinnan), Heather Spillane (Fethard); Lauren Cunningham (Holycross/Ballycahill), Lily Maher (Arravale Rovers), Emma Morrissey (Aherlow).

Subs: Katelyn Downey (Boherlahan/Dualla) for Sarah English (HT), Aoibhe O’Shea (Mullinahone) for McGuigan (40), Shona Lang (Brian Borus) for Niamh Martin (43), Emma Buckley (Cahir) for Kennedy (46), Anna Carey (Clonmel Commercials) for Emma Morrissey (55), Eabha Hogan (St. Patrick’s) for Cunningham (53), Lucy Spillane (Fethard) for Cronin (55), Nicola Shelly (Mullinahone) for Clara English (58), Aine O’Dwyer (Boherlahan/Dualla) for Laura Morrissey (59), Izzy Carr (Holycross/Ballycahill) Maher (61), Ava Ryan (Moyne/Templetuohy) for Hoare (63) Kate Cashman (Templemore) for Heather Spillane (63)

Referee: Ray McBride (Dublin).