McCarron's return influential as Monaghan effectively seal Division 1 survival

A thunderous start by Westmeath saw ample scoring opportunities that just lacked precision finishing to put the visitors ahead. Westmeath were almost rewarded for their pressure on the Monaghan defence with a goal chance in the opening minutes. Johanna Maher cut through the Monaghan defence only for a shot from captain Laura Lee Walsh to be saved by the Monaghan keeper Linda Martin and was cleared out by her defence.

 

Westmeath corner forward Karen Hegarty proved to be dangerous contributing to 0-3 of the first half score, alongside midfielders Karen Mc Dermott, Fiona Claffey and half back Fiona Coyle who picked up a point a-piece.

 

Ellen McCarron’s presence was definitely felt in the forward line, contributing 0-3 to Monaghan’s first half tally as well as linking up with Ciara McAnespie who made no mistake when burying the only goal of the game in the closing minutes of the first half.

 

The tempo remained high after the break with Karen Hegarty putting the visitors in the lead with a point from play in the opening few minutes. The second half saw both defensive systems perform brilliantly under pressure, Monaghan’s Aoife McAnespie driving forward on a number of occasions and providing some vital link-up plays in the forward line.

 

McCarron added another 0-4 to her tally alongside Rosemary Courtney who got 0-2 on the scoreboard for Monaghan. Westmeath captain Laura Lee Walsh was a danger on the forward line getting 0-2 on the board but seven wides for the Lake county in the second half – some coming from frees – proved to be the deciding factor.

 

Monaghan Scorers: E McCarron 0-07 (2f), C McAnespie 1-01, R Courtney 0-02

 

Westmeath Scorers: K Hegarty 0-04 (1f), L Lee Walsh 0-02, F Coyle 0-01, K McDermott 0-01, F Claffey 0-01, L Slevin & A Dolan (0-01f)

 

Monaghan: L Martin, R McKenna, H Kingham, J Fitzpatrick, A McAnespie, S Courtney (C), S Coyle, H McSkeane, M Atkinson, E McAneapie, A McAnespie, R Courtney, E McCarron, C Courtney, C McAnespie

 

Monaghan Subs: K Duffy for H Kingham (21), E Woods for H McSkeane and L Kerley for A McAnespie (30), B Ward for K Duffy (57).

 

Westmeath: K Walsh, R Dillon, A Giles, N Feery, F Coyle, J Rogers, L Brennan, K McDermott, F Claffey, J Maher, M A Foley, L McCartan, K Hegarty, L L Walsh (C), K Boyce Jordan.

 

Westmeath Subs: A Dolan for K Hegarty (39), S Dolan for L Brennan (47), L Slevin for M A Foley (59)